Community Stories 

Each month Face of Fifty will share a story from a member of the community. These stories will provide glimpses into their lives navigating the world as a black woman in her fifties. The stories will cover everything from family, health, dating, surviving loss, starting over, and more! We hope these stories inspire and enlighten you.
Why I Celebrate Black Women in Their Fifties by Tracie Momie
Hello, my name is Tracie Momie and I am the founder of the Face of Fifty. It seems so surreal to make that declaration since establishing a women's empowerment group has literally been on my bucket list for ten years. And last year on May 15, 2020 in the middle of a pandemic, I did it!

It was born out of both necessity and desperation if I'm being honest. I needed confirmation and affirmation that at age fifty, I was still relevant. I could be vital, not just to my family, but to a cause or community bigger than myself. Intellectually, I knew fifty was far from being 'old' but it still felt like I was closer to the end of my life than the beginning. 

But after starting the Face of Fifty and connecting with so many amazing women from all over the world, I've come to learn that fifty can be a new beginning. As long as I have a strong mind, healthy body, and a determined heart–the possibilities are endless! 

The name, Face of Fifty, came from what I considered to be somewhat of a backhanded compliment from people, I was in my feelings about turning fifty–loss of youth and all that–and people would say, "But you don't look like you're about to be fifty" or worse, "You look good for fifty." Really? Why can't I just look good? But it begged the question, what does fifty look like? Or better, what is fifty supposed to look like? And I realized fifty has many different faces. And not just physical. . .we all have different stories and have arrived to this place on different journeys, so we all represent the face of fifty.
 Now is our time. This is our decade. Everything else was just a dress rehearsal. We possess wisdom born of life experiences and we are a force to be reckoned with!
Although, the media and society at large tend to discount the contributions and vitality of women in their fifties, it is doubly troubling that black women in their fifties seem to be invisible. No one is marketing to us or creating movie roles or writing stories about our experiences. That is why I chose to start this group. To celebrate black women in their fifties everyday and to encourage and empower my sisters to never give up on themselves or their dreams. Now is our time. This is our decade. Everything else was just a dress rehearsal. We possess wisdom born of life experiences and we are a force to be reckoned with.

I celebrate black women in their fifties because we deserve it. Because we've earned it and it's time to collect our things!
"Know that you are the perfect age. Each year is special and precious, for you shall only live it once.
​Be comfortable with growing older." –Louise Hay
In addition to starting the Face of Fifty, Tracie Momie is a freelance graphic designer and author. She has published five novels. Tracie is also an avid reader, and pre-pandemic was a world traveler. Tracie lives with her husband and two children in Houston, Texas. To learn more about her or her work you can visit her website, www.traciemomie.com 
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