The Age of Elegance

Greetings from Ms. Senior America!

A part of the Ms. Senior America mission statement says “…We honor women who have reached The Age of Elegance…”  In their world, that magical age is 60.  Since we are beginning this project for “Women 60+, Living Our Best Life,” I wanted my first post to be dedicated to all who have reached “The Age of Elegance” and to ask you, the same question that helped propel me to the crown during the pageants’ on stage “Philosophy of Life” competition. My hope is to inspire you and me to fully embrace our best selves and the blessing of each day that we are given.                                                  

True Beauty

How do you define “True B-e-a-u-t-y?”  The word “b-e-a-u-t-y” encapsulates it:

B-e Yourself.

E-xercise your mind, body, and spirit.

A-ccentuate the positive.

U-tilize your God given gifts and talents.

T-reat yourself and others with respect.

Y-ield to God’s timing and remember, It’s not always about you. 

I ended my statement by saying, “It is my hope that you will always see my true beauty shining from the inside out.”  What I could not include due to time, was the inspirational verse from the Bible that prompted my thoughts.  “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting. But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

Years ago, I first asked this question to single moms at an event designed for them called “Queen for a Day,” complete with a wonderful day of pampering.  I was thrilled to see this event was offered to women who were walking through some difficult circumstances and needed a reprieve. While I had some background in pageantry, I was still a little confused as to why they wanted me to speak. I was neither a single mom, nor even a mom yet, but instead, what they might refer to as a blessed wife with an “easy life.” What could I say aside from what lipstick or colors to wear that will relate and encourage these women?  I remember praying hard and then stopping and suddenly feeling what I believe was God impressing thoughts upon my heart. “You aren’t going to teach them how to be a ‘Queen for a Day’ but instead, how to be a ‘Queen for Life.’” “Okay, cool,” I thought.  “But how do I do that?” Almost immediately, the next thoughts came to my mind said, “Just define True B-e-a-u-t-y” and before I knew it, my message for “True B-e-a-u-t-y”  was born.  I have enjoyed presenting this message to women of all ages, and especially young women, hopefully to help them better maneuver the stages of womanhood that the decades inevitably bring.

One would think that by the age of 60+, we would have reached the pinnacle for being comfortable in our own skin. But sadly, that’s not always true. I think we can all agree that true b-e-a-u-t-y is not achieved through the multi-billion-dollar beauty, fashion, and image industry. Don’t get me wrong. I love a new tube of lipstick, BIG lash mascara, a fabulous dress and shoes, and a healing massage, but in the end, like Truvy, the beloved character in the movie “Steel Magnolias” said, “Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize it’s marchin’ across your face.” 

Epitomize True Beauty

I now see that true b-e-a-u-t-y was being lived out in front of me through the stories, wisdom, and lessons I’ve learned from women who’ve touched my life, most over them over that 60+ plus age. They didn’t necessarily know it, but they epitomized “True B-e-a-u-t-y.” They each lived out the b-e-a-u-t-y acronym one letter at a time or all at once through their dignity and grace which helped to set a clearer path for me. 

If you are not feeling beautiful today, would you stop a moment and ponder which letter(s) of  the “b-e-a-u-t-y” acronym best describes you? I pray that you see yourself in one, two, or all the letters.  As women in our 60’s, I have no doubt that we have a lot to say, do, and give as we live our best lives, and that you have to ability to make a positive impact on everyone around you. 

World renown speaker and author, Florence Littauer, deeply impacted my life with her signature talk, “Silver Boxes, the Gift of Encouraging Words” and through her teaching on and her prolific books on “The Personalities.” On the platform, she was a force of nature, could command any room, and maximized that ability to “B-e Yourself.” She was authentic, a servant leader, and poured herself into helping others discover how they are wired and gave them tools on how to turn any weakness to a strength so they would be able to not only “be” but be able to strive to become their best self. As a live-wire personality with a tendency to dominate conversations, she taught me how to become a real listener and offered sincere words of encouragement for my speaking and writing skills that resonate in my head to this day. Florence was and will always be a True B-e-a-u-t-y.

I am so thankful for Helene Royster, a former missionary, the mother who authored a book about her precious son who died on the mission field, the first female to graduate from Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and the founder and director of Operation Appreciation (a global ministry to American soldiers), who exemplified the meaning of the “E”, to E-xercise my mind, body, and spirit. Helene took me under her wing and mentored me in my faith and provided a platform for me to grow as a performer. She was the most energetic and organized woman I have ever known. She would be up before dawn to study the Bible and write letters to Army privates and Generals, could outwalk me in foreign countries, and was a prayer warrior. I will never forget the first time I went into her study to meet with her. One wall was filled with personal, daily journals and another wall was filled with her prayer and faith journals. But what touched me the most was her simplicity. Maybe it was the missionary in her. She was always impeccably groomed but I know I saw her wear the same dress at least two dozen times to meet the troops! Helene was and will always be a “True B-e-a-u-t-y.”

When I won the crown of Ms. Senior America 2023, the first place I stopped before I arrived home was at my 86-year-old mom, Marie’s, house. I placed the crown on her head, the sash over her tiny frame, and the bouquet of roses in her arms.  She has always epitomized “True B-e-a-u-t-y” in our family, a “Queen for Life.” 

Ladies, you too are queens, true beauties, and I’m excited to be living in this time with you in our “Age of Elegance.” I look forward to the stories of living our best lives, the wisdom, and hearing your thoughts. Bring it on. I can’t wait!   

Love, Debbie

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Debbie was recently crowned Ms. Senior America 2023. She holds a degree in Vocal Performance and has performed across the continental U.S. and abroad. She’s also a talent and interview coach to contestants competing in The Miss America Scholarship Organization. Debbie is married to Scott Robbins. They have one son, Jackson, born when Debbie was 44. He is now a senior in High School.