Amazing Women Wednesday: Hélène Tragos Stelian

Hélène Tragos Stelian is a multi-talented woman who puts family first while finding creative outlets for her own life. Her first creative project was a book, Getting Ready for Baby: The Practical Parent’s Organizer. As the mother of twins Hélène knew that planning to have a baby (or babies) was a tough job in itself, so she shared her organizing ability with other parents. Hélène recently updated her book, see above and below the post for links to purchase it! What a great gift for someone who is expecting!

Next Act for Women is Hélène’s blog about women of a “certain age”, meaning midlife, who find a new purpose or career. I love it! It encourages women who haven’t “found their thing” yet to take chances, to make changes in how they live their lives. Hélène points out in her blog, “Women of a “certain age” are often self-aware: emboldened by their strengths, accepting of their limitations, and ready to take a realistic approach in the pursuit of new personal goals. Their motivation may come from regrets about paths not taken, an itch to put their energy into more creative outlets, a wish to give back to their community in a more substantive way, or any myriad of reasons.” Her blogs about women moving forward and taking risks are engaging and compelling. She writes about women who have completely changed their lives, gone into a new field, or given themselves over to helping others. Here are a few of the blog links:

Becoming a Fashion Stylist at 45: Jennifer’s Story

Advocating for Therapeutic Drug Policies in Her 50s: Gretchen’s Story

Creating Healthy Workplace Cultures at 55: Jeanne’s Story

Let’s Hear From an Expert: Mary Beth Barrett-Newman of 2nd Career Consulting

I love these blogs/articles, after all, I am a woman of a “certain age” and I love to hear what other women of a certain age are up to. This may sound random, but have you ever seen “Something’s Gotta Give” with Diane Keaton and Frances McDormand? The film is about a man over 60 who dates much younger women, and a woman (Diane Keaton) who is over 50 and, as Frances McDormand’s character explains it:

“….there’s my gorgeous sister here. Look at her. She is so accomplished…..She’s over 50, divorced, and she sits in night after night after night because available guys her age want something-forgive me, they want somebody (much younger). The over-50 dating scene is geared towards men leaving older women out. And as a result, the women become more and more productive and therefore, more and more interesting. Which, in turn, makes them even less desirable because as we all know, men- especially older men- are threatened and afraid of productive, interesting women. It is just so clear! Single older women as a demographic are about as fucked a group as can ever exist.” Not being single, I cannot really comment on the dating scene, but here is what I do know, and what I love about Hélène’s Next Act for Women: being in midlife is incredible. It is liberating, actually freeing in many ways. I can look back to my twenties and thirties and realize that I am now wiser, more sure of myself, more comfortable, more intelligent, and more confident. Reading about other women who feel the same is refreshing as well as exciting.

Hélène is part Danish and Greek, and was raised in Paris until she was 13 years old. Traveling has been a top priority for her and her family, and they have been all over the globe. I would certainly say she has led a life full of adventure! For being an independent woman who has written and published a book (and is working on another), raised twins, enjoyed her family life, and has put the spotlight on midlife women at the very apex of their lives, I say you are amazing, Hélène! You are an amazing woman, and a fabulous role model. Keep Next Act for Women going strong, those of us in our “next act” love hearing about other women who are on the same stage.