Who Is The Lustre Woman?

By Karen and Erica

We have been asked many times: who is the Lustre woman? And in fact we do have a being in mind. She has different manifestations, but some central characteristics.

• She is smart. She has lived a few decades, and has learned much from those years of living.

• She worked hard for decades—in and out of the home—and she brought to her work all of her acuity.

• She is approaching retirement, or is in the thick of it, or has come out the other side. At each stage her view of the future becomes more definitive.

• She is determined to create a new world where retired and older women are players.

• She is interested in image. She knows the value of presenting an authentic picture of herself, showcasing her strengths and vision.

• She likes people. She loves to talk to everyone. (Almost.) Younger, older, female, male, different nationalities, different interests, different family structures, different careers. Even babies.

• She is reasonably secure about who she is. Aging is not without its issues, but she knows that age has given her a lustre only decades of living can offer.

• She expects to be respected. She challenges disrespect in the form of any ism.

• She takes care of herself. She has no particular interest in living forever, or in looking or being younger. She wants to live well with purpose for as long as she can.

• She believes that life is political. She knows sometimes you have to be strategic about what matters.

• She has fun and is adventurous. The future interests and excites her. She cooks, travels, writes, teaches, works out, and shops with the best of them.

• She is someone you would love to meet for a coffee or a drink.

Does she sound like you?

Next question: What does the Lustre Woman want? We have ideas, but what are yours?