Inspirational Boomer: Lyn Slater, “Accidental Icon”
I love stories about fabulous second acts, especially those that involve fate, fun and flair. Baby Boomers, for inspiration check out Lyn Slater’s story. Lyn was featured tonight on the NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt—I know, big exposure, right? Two years ago, this 64-year old Fordham College professor was on a New York City street during Fashion Week, waiting for a friend, when swarmed by photographers who mistook her for a famous fashion icon. And no wonder, she is a sharp, beautiful and super stylish lady. And thus discovered, she started a new adventure as the “Accidental Icon” with a website/blog by the same name, found at www.accidentalicon.com. Now she travels the world, with a modeling contract—a true fashion influencer with an irreverent fashion sense whose following is actually largely young people.
I think Lyn’s adventure speaks volumes about age and beauty and what I increasingly observe see as society’s realization that age is only a number and not a category you belong in, defined by the expectation of others. We Boomers are defying these categories and are continuing our generation’s culture of wanting and expecting more from life, living with “zest”—now there’s a good word.
Lyn said it best on the news interview: “I want people to know that you do not have to accept the box that society puts you in. Reinvent yourself the way that you want to be.” I LOVE this statement because it so embodies our own philosophy here at Boomer Connections.
The interviewer asked Lyn if she regretted pursing her PhD in social work, or would she have rather spent her career in the world of fashion. Her response: “Regret is not in my vocabulary, it’s all about what I do in this moment and from here on in.”
Wow, how cool. All I can say is “Go Lyn”
….and Thank you!!
By Cherie R. Blazer
Cherie is a late bloomer Boomer, born at the tail end of the Boomer generation. She was playing with Barbies while her older sisters marched on Washington and fought for equal rights, but watched and learned. Now she is an empty nester with a whole new future to explore and share at www.BoomerConnections.com! As “Philosopher in Chief” Cherie merely wants to change the world with this blog: to encourage those of us in the midst of our “second act” to look at life with new eyes, open to a life filled with new beginnings rather than endings, and to apply all we have learned to a way of living that is more meaningful and profound. There is SO much to live for, up until the very end.
Great article, I want to be her when I grow up!!
She is surely an “inspirational Boomer.” One of so many, I love these stories. Thanks for your comment!