Celebrating 5 Inspirational Women who Didn’t Let Age Hold Them Back this International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is on the 8th of March. It celebrates the social, cultural, political, and economic achievements of women from around the world. To coincide with this special and empowering day, we thought we would celebrate five inspirational women who refused to let their age hold them back in achieving their dreams and ambitions. 
 
Queen Elizabeth II
 
The Queen was a highly respected and loved figure throughout the world. Her Majesty acceded to the throne at the young age of 25 and spent more than 70 years dedicated to her duty and devoted to a life of service. As Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth connected over two billion people from around the globe. As Head of State, she welcomed and hosted more than 110 Prime Ministers and Presidents during official visits to the UK. As the longest serving Monarch in British history, working up until her death at the age of 96, she proved that age wasn’t going to stand in her way of fulfilling her duties. For anyone interested in looking at the photographic history of Her Majesty, this book could be a good purchase.
 
Dame Judi Dench
 
Regarded as one of the UK’s top actresses, Dame Judi Dench has had an illustrious career, having starred in numerous roles in Hollywood films and television series, encompassing many genres. Having worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre Company, she has also starred in a variety of work on stage. Judi is best-known for playing M in eight James Bond films, Mrs Brown, Philomena, and Evelyn in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. She has won an Oscar, ten BAFTAs, as well as other awards, and at the age of 88, is still actively working. Her new film ‘Allelujah’ is due to appear in cinemas this month.
 
Dame Vivienne Westwood
 
An influential revolutionary and activist, Dame Vivienne Westwood was a fashion designer at the epicentre of British fashion. She brought politics and the punk music movement of the 1970s to the world of high fashion, when she opened her store - once called ‘Sex -’ on Kings Road, London. Known for her provocative and political merchandise, she revolutionised what was deemed acceptable to wear in public. After the success of her first store, she opened another three in London, before expanding her empire throughout the UK and the rest of the world. Up until her death at the age of 81, she continued to design, make art and work on her book ‘Vivienne Westwood Catwalk’.
 
Dame Jane Goodall
 
English anthropologist, primatologist, conservationist and humanitarian, Dame Jane Goodall is the world’s expert in chimpanzees, having dedicated her life to championing conservation and protecting the species in the wild. After travelling to Tanzania, she spent 45 years observing chimpanzees. Shortly after her arrival, she was the first person to discover how they used tools – much like humans, as well as how they were not vegetarian. She has received many awards and accolades for her lasting contributions to environmentalism and science, such as, being named a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2002, being honoured as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and being awarded the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, the Medal of Tanzania, the Kyoto Prize, and the French Legion of Honor. At the age of 88, Jane still works hard for her non-profit organisation, the Jane Goodall Institute, where for around 300 days a year she travels to raise awareness and money to protect chimpanzees and their natural habitat. 
 
Ernestine Shepherd 
 
At the age of 86, Ernestine Shepherd is still an active American bodybuilder. In 2010 and 2011, the Guinness Book of World Records declared her as the oldest competitive female bodybuilder in the world. When she was 56, she decided to get in better shape. Having never worked out a day in her life she decided to join a gym. Slowly over time, she completely transformed her body, and in turn, her life completely changed too. She starts her day at 4am to ensure she completes her workouts each day. Ernestine completes approximately 80 miles worth of running every week, alongside resistance training and clean eating. To this day, she can still bench 50kg! She is the definition of a woman thriving at any age. 
 
There are many incredible women around the world that prove age is simply just a number. If you have an inspiring woman in your life, why not do something special for her to mark the occasion? It could be simply writing a card about how much you admire them and how proud you are of them. Also, if there’s a woman in your life that wants to go after her dream, give her a little nudge in the right direction. It’s never too late to fulfill an aspiration in life.