A Partial List of Rebellious Women

“We're treated as if we ‘don't understand’ yet we understand A LOT because we have years of life and experiences to draw from.” Sheryl has a bone to pick with stereotypes of “older” women. ​​Sheryl Cooksley was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 59 in Sherwood Oregon...

“Yes, beauty comes from within, it makes a person beautiful on the outside. Attractive is a person with kind eyes, wrinkles, laugh lines, who is fun, good, quirky, dry, and a sense of humor - who can laugh at themselves.” Leea Voetberg was photographed in 2022 at the age of...

“Confidence looks good on me! I'm still releasing the need to prove my worth, value, and beauty.” Sarah Kearney was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 51 by Sherwood Photographer Rachel Hadiashar.

“My perception of beauty hasn't changed much over time. I still love to see women dressed to the nines without having to throw out their body parts to attract others.” Michelle Nakoa Medeiros was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 53 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar in the...

“I find that people who try too hard to look good usually don’t, and people who show up with a smile look much better.” Friendly, humorous, trustworthy, dedicated, and a lover of mornings, Colleen loves getting up each day to start tackling problems or working on the day’s to-do list....

“Now I’ve learned to accept my wrinkles as a road map of life.” Margaret hopes the world views her as beautiful both inside and out, with a heart and actions of honesty. She perceives the outward wrinkles acquired with time to be a roadmap of her life. While she believes...

“I’ve spent 50 years getting really comfortable in this body!” Robyn Knox was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 51 by Rachel Hadiashar at the portrait studio in Sherwood, Oregon.

“Beauty is about happiness and joy and that’s what my family is. I feel the most beautiful with my children.” Darcy, USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and Historical Romance, is mother to two children, a wife of 30+ years with an array of rescue cats. She is a self-described...

"I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept."  Mary Lopez was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 61 by Sherwood Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the studio n Sherwood, OR.

“Attractive is for me, not for anyone else. Looking professional is BS. Looking attractive means no makeup, my hair might be a little messy, and I don't give a shit about what anyone else thinks.” Christine Moses was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 60 by Rachel...

“I care about everyone and the world. I want to do my part to make the world a better place. Not just from an environmental place, but from the way we treat one another as human beings.” Dedicated to serving and supporting her son, friends, and family, Iris’ greatest joy...

“Absolutely my perception of attractiveness has shifted. Attractiveness is not a physical characteristic, it's an energy that someone emanates. It has a magnetic quality and it causes you to want to lean toward that person, lean in, listen deeper, see clearer, understand more thoroughly. It's all encompassing versus one tangible...

“I’m curious and good at following up on it. Voracious, Adventurous and well-read. And messy.” With an adventurous spirit, Val loves exploring her wide variety of interests and experiencing new things. Endlessly curious, she has allowed her life to blossom throughout many career and educational paths and is currently in...

“I see more things as attractive now, my view of beauty and attractiveness has broadened. I see the intrinsic beauty in things now, not just the external.” Andrea Kreiner was photographed in 2022 at the age of 58 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar in Portland, Oregon

“Beauty emerges from how I love and care for myself from the inside out. I can see that in other people and it shows in how they move through the world, how they inhabit their skin.” Chris Caldwell was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 56 by...

Margaret Smith was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 50 by Rachel Hadiashar in Sherwood, Oregon.

“It is what it is! The Universe has a plan! In other words, stop wasting your time over worry and fret. Do what you can do, and leave the rest to whatever will be.” Robin is an incredibly resilient woman of 50 who has overcome so many obstacles and heartbreak...

Jen Garrison was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 53 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the portrait studio in Sherwood, Oregon.

Julia Alicia Galicia believes in living life to the fullest, loving passionately, and that one should always keep laughing. Julia Alicia was photographed in 2022 at the age of 54 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the Sherwood Portrait Studio.

“I’m exactly where I want to be and things just keep getting better.” Thoughtful, loving, self aware, and open, Deborah aims to help her clients live their lives consciously and intentionally. As a relationship and sexuality coach, Deborah greatly values connecting with others through conversation, authenticity, and growth. She enjoys...

“Life is too short to spend one single minute with someone who doesn’t think you’re the most amazing person in the world.”  Julie is an optimist with a huge heart and an unfailing belief in the human spirit. Julie is a singer, actress, and writer – recently publishing her first...

“Life is what we make it!” Open-minded, caring, and resilient, Carrie finds the positive in challenging situations. She believes the most rewarding thing about getting older is the ability to look back at all life’s experiences, to learn from them, and to know that there is so much more to...

‘Every single person is dealing with something at some time. You can’t avoid the tragedies of life. And many, many have a much heavier load in life. So be kind. Be helpful.’ Susan is described by others as kind, compassionate and fun loving. She has a deep-seated inclination to be...

Lori Watkins was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 56 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at Zing Studio in Sherwood, Oregon.

“As you get older you have lived a larger percent of your life already — even if you don’t really know what the percent is. If I were to live to be 100, I’ve lived 59% of my life already. You get to thinking more about getting to those things...

“Being over 60 I still feel beautiful and sexy. I am wiser and kinder. Aging gracefully yet staying young in spirit. It is a gift – not anything to fear!” Kym is a kind person who loves deeply. Coordinated, smart, and a hard worker, she believes in treating others the...

“As a younger person, I felt being attractive had mostly physical qualities, however now that I am more mature I feel attractiveness is much more personality than physical qualities.” Ann finds pure joy in retirement and life with her husband; she is dabbling in almost anything she can get her...

“What matters cannot be measured in dollars. It should be measured in the people we love, the friends we nurture and the way we treat strangers.” Wendy Harris was photographed in 2022 at the age of 64 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the portrait studio in Sherwood, Oregon.

“I was taught that I needed to look a specific way or wear makeup or fit in with societal beauty types. I went from sneaking makeup and putting it on at my friends house before school (took A LOT of work!) to finding college life had no place for that...

“I would like to bust the myth that we are irrelevant. AARP has released a study showing that 75% of women over 40 who have been displaced from their jobs during Covid have been displaced for at least six months.” Jennifer McLaughlin was photographed in 2022 at the age of...

‘True peace is possible within ourselves. All decisions are made out of love or fear. Choose love.’ Sherri’s most cherished possession is her soul’s happiness and purpose. She has become literate in this life lesson along the path of life, with the great achievement of continual enlightenment and awareness. Sherri...

“A happy person brings joy to those around them. A smile is the most attractive trait available to each and every person.” Debbie Johnson was photographed in 2022 at the age of 63 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar in Sherwood, Oregon.

“I've pretty much always felt that being in shape is what makes you attractive, even as I've felt that inner beauty is more important - so I've always been conflicted about this. I want to believe that inner beauty is the most important, as well as healthy fitness (even if...

Kind, compassionate, and loyal, Kim has a deep love for people. She values family and finds value in the ways family can be formed, whether through bloodline or choice. Seeing her children and grandchildren enjoying life is a great source of joy for Kimberly. Described as ‘the world’s mother’ by...

“I don’t need to please others. I just need to do what is right and speak my truth with kindness.” “I strive to find peace and joy no matter where I am. And when I stop feeling those things, I move on.” Dedicated to her children, faith, and community, Shauna...

“I’m a hard hat wearing, brain tumor survivor who wants to show others that it’s possible to thrive after trauma and after 50.” Empathetic, intuitive, and courageous are a few words that describe Robyn. After finding out she had a brain tumor at 50 years old, she had to manage...

“I see others as beautiful because of their character.” Aiming to redistribute as much kindness, joy, and love as possible, Kristine lives her life filled with compassion for the humans and animals around her. When asked about the best life lesson she has learned, she states: “There is so much...

“A lot of freedom can come from being my age- freedom from expectations of society… freedom from things that I should do – maybe I don’t want to do them! It’s very freeing.”  “I like that I am a realist: I am not afraid to recognize problems and I am...

“I mean, anything goes, really. Remember that old adage, you can't judge a book by its cover? It's so very very true. I don't let myself fall into that trap anymore... You never really know what's lurking below the surface until you take the time to jump in and find...

“I have never liked getting my picture taken, but I’m finally comfortable with my body and confident in who I am.” A confident, fair, and decisive leader, people are attracted to her integrity. Jimi also finds herself spiritually in tune with nature and the universe. People just like her. Jimi...

“What you can accomplish at any age all depends on your health. Eighty is not the end of your life if you’ve taken care of yourself!” Empathetic, caring, and honest, Kay is an incredible friend and is very family oriented. She and her BFF have been friends since second grade!...

“I do not support society’s narrow definition of physical beauty. Personality, passion, experience, heartfelt conversation, interaction with the world, integrity, personal ethics, humor, and individual gifts combine to create interesting people. I find that complexity fascinating and attractive.” “I would love for society and all media to portray older people...

“I can do it myself if I have to!” Described as outgoing and compassionate, Melody prides herself on being able to talk to anyone. With her bubbly personality, Melody finds joy in countless aspects of her life, with particular regard to her granddaughter, husband, and friends.  A lover of experiencing...

“Life is so fragile- live with no regrets!” “I was thrilled about participating in this project, though the photo session came shortly after the death of my mom, which now looking at many of my photos I can see the grief in my face, and especially in my eyes.   Her death...

“Don’t waste a second of your life thinking you are inadequate: get out there and shine your light in the world” is something Connie would tell her 20 something self. Ambitious, courageous, and outgoing, fearlessly showing up for life is something that Connie deeply believes. Approaching life with love and...

“Life keeps coming with the gifts.”   Chamomile is a thinker and has always been. She doesn’t want to follow the line for its own sake. She’s looking for the truth, and for the experience that’s made for her. Nature always shows her the way.  Cammi finds joy in relaxing,...

“The things that are most attractive to me now are more about what's on the inside vs. the outside. A person's presence that exudes self awareness and acceptance, emotional safety, a hint of playfulness and being comfortable in their own skin rather than having to achieve some model of perfection...

“I used to be an absolute zinger on self-deprecating comments. I claimed it as self defense; if I said the bad things about myself, they were already out there before anyone else could say them. I thought I was delivering these comments with wit, and that would balance out the...

5889 years of collective life experience and wisdom.  I am thrilled to announce that my portrait campaign featuring 100 vibrant women over 50 will be showcased at the Hillsboro Library at Brookwood. The gallery will run throughout the month of March in honor of Women’s History Month!  This exhibit is...

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.” A lover of supporting and caring for others, Nicole aims to help people live full and beautiful lives. Described as loving, loyal, and enthusiastic, Nicole works to make Oregon a place where people with substance use and gambling disorders...