This Viral Twitter Thread About Actress Kathryn Joosten Is the Inspiration We All Need
By Pippa RagaJan. 15 2020, Updated 3:10 p.m. ET
As a jaded millennial, I incessantly feel like I've seen all of it, achieved it all, and am too late in the sport to pursue anything new. Sure, I daydream about my lifestyles as a Hollywood actress or about getting the PhD I've at all times wanted, but for the most part I think I'll almost certainly just stay doing what I feel I do quite decently — write for the joy and leisure of others, which I've been doing pretty constantly for the easier a part of a decade.
But what if I changed the course of my life by way of doing that loopy thing you handiest read about or see in films: taking an opportunity. A recent thread by Charlotte Clymer reminded us the importance of following your dream and pursuing your interest, no matter your age.
The tweeter relayed the career trajectory of overdue actress Kathryn Joosten, best known for her roles as crochety Karen McCluskey of Desperate Housewives and Dolores Landingham of The West Wing. She's a shining instance of any person following their desires regardless of their age or circumstance.
The shifting story of the way this Chicago nurse turned into a two-time Emmy Award winner should encourage us all to fight ageism in an international where early life and beauty are prioritized over experience and knowledge. It starts like this:
In 1980, a psychiatric nurse at Chicago's Michael Reese Hospital (and mother of 2) divorced her husband in the middle of a in particular married life and made up our minds to pursue her lifelong dream of an acting career. She used to be 40.
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) August 19, 2018Charlotte notes crucial spark to Kathryn's career trade used to be her mom's deathbed feel sorry about of not having pursued her personal goals throughout the course of her life.
Having harbored desires of pursuing acting, Kathryn dove head-first right into a box recognized for preying on adolescence and good appears to be like. She enrolled in classes and decided to take a look at her hand at in point of fact manifesting this passion of hers into a brand new career path.
Then, the 50-year-old were given a destroy with Disney, which instilled in her the boldness to take her dream to the following level: Hollywood. Unsurprisingly, her mere efforts had been met with snark.
But the remark didn't stop her. Nor did it prevent the myriad observant casting administrators from giving her coveted roles in one of the highest presentations of the '90s. Like E.R. and Seinfeld, to name a few of my personal faves.
At this point, she was once necessarily residing her (and pretty much everybody's) dream. Supporting herself financially via doing the object she most beloved. What extra can a lady ask for?
And in 1999, she were given her big damage: 60 year-old Kathryn Joosten won the a part of Dolores Landingham (Mrs. Landingham) on "The West Wing". The character's death was a crucial plot line in probably the most finest episodes of tv ever produced: 2d season finale "Two Cathedrals". pic.twitter.com/npd5LkAOqy
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) August 19, 2018But Kathryn was once, in truth, just getting began. After her touchstone position as Mrs. Landingham, all of Hollywood took notice of her ability. In spite of her relatively few years of acting revel in compared to her friends who got here up within the trade, Kathryn's acting talents earned her two (*40*) Emmy Awards. And that is no small feat for any person who lived what many would believe a life-time as a psychiatric nurse.
The resilient woman did greater than battle within the face of showbiz, she additionally battled and survived lung most cancers on two separate events. When she after all handed in 2012, Kathryn did not have to stand the similar feel sorry about as her mother.
Writer Charlotte is going on to pronouncing that she started this thread to combat the stigmas of ageism. "I hate the way we strip older folks of their humanity by asserting that they can't do something — not on the basis of their ability or competence — but the date on their birth certificate," she writes in a follow-up tweet.
Who are we to tell someone beyond their fifties what they are able to't and can not reach, whether or not or not it's medicine, acting, writing, or working for governor?! In a rustic that prides itself on individualism and private interests of hobby, why should age ever even be a factor? "Telling someone they're 'too old' to do something denies their gifts to the world, and how dare any of us do that," Charlotte emphasizes.
She is going on to mentioning some remarkably proficient people we would not find out about, had they no longer found their luck later in life. "Vera Wang didn't start designing clothes until she was 40. Laura Ingalls Wilder didn't publish her first book until she was 65. Told as a young woman that being a doctor wasn't 'appropriate for women,' Genevie Kocourek would go on to graduate medical school at 53," she tweets.
I'll upload to Julia Child to that listing, who did not get started writing cookbooks until the age of 50, and Donald Fisher, who opened the Gap at 40 without any retail or model enjoy.
Changing careers or professions is hard, even when you do have the looks, power and starvation of a 20-year-old on your aspect. But Kathryn's story, and the psychological fortitude it took to face her naysayers, proves that it is never too past due to pursue your goals and begin your life anew.
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