Transform your life like this woman did at 60. Here's her empowering tale
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At the Seniors Discount Club, we love to share stories that inspire and encourage our members to believe that it's never too late to start anew. Elizabeth Barbour's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the pursuit of passion, no matter your age.
Elizabeth's journey into the legal profession began at an age when many are considering retirement. At 54, with a school-age daughter at home, she embarked on a path that would lead her to become a fierce advocate for women's rights. 'But once I decide to do something, I’m hard to stop,' she says, reflecting a determination that would see her through the challenging years ahead.
Law school was no walk in the park for Elizabeth. She found herself surrounded by much younger classmates, feeling like 'a foreigner' in a sea of youth. The experience was isolating, but it also served to broaden her horizons. 'Three years of being pummelled with all this information really did expand my bandwidth,' she recalls.
Her tenacity didn't go unnoticed. After a negotiation exercise, a professor praised her unique ability to 'work the table,' hinting at the natural talent that would later define her legal career. Elizabeth's initial foray into law saw her working with high-net-worth individuals, but she quickly realised that her passion lay elsewhere. She wanted to make a real difference, not just argue over money.
Passing the bar on her second attempt, Elizabeth found her true calling at the age of 60 when she joined the Legal Aid Society in Roanoke, Virginia. It was around this time that her marriage ended, and she now views her decision to study law as 'a declaration of selfhood.'
Today, at 68, Elizabeth is handling 50 domestic violence cases. The work is emotionally taxing but immensely rewarding. She helps women who have endured abuse to say 'Enough' and supports them through their legal battles and life transitions. 'I can give them legal help and play an active role in their life as they are transitioning from one place to another,' she says with pride.
Elizabeth's career may seem like a 'happy accident,' but her life has always been one of purpose and independence. Growing up as the eldest of three daughters, she developed a strong sense of self-reliance early on. Her involvement in women's consciousness-raising meetings during high school opened her eyes to the possibilities that lay before her, encouraging her to 'go do your own thing.'
Her diverse career path took her from being a hand model in New York, where she was 'the hands' of Isabella Rossellini for Lancôme, to a real-estate developer in Colorado. Her family's history in building and her mother's volunteer work with the disadvantaged instilled in her a deep sense of community and service.
Elizabeth's personal life is as rich and varied as her professional one. She always knew she wanted to adopt, and her daughter, now 26, works as a paramedic, continuing the family's legacy of helping others. Her 92-year-old mother still volunteers at a hospice, demonstrating that the desire to contribute to society knows no age limit.
In the courtroom, Elizabeth has found her stride. The initial fear has dissipated, replaced by a sense of fulfilment and love for her work. 'It’s more and more rewarding. I love my office. I love my clients. I see no end to my career. It is a privilege, not a job,' she declares.
Elizabeth Barbour's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to reinvent yourself and make a significant impact on the world around you. Whether you're considering a career change, picking up a new hobby, or simply looking to make a difference in your community, let Elizabeth's empowering tale inspire you to take that leap of faith.
We at the Seniors Discount Club celebrate Elizabeth and all those who choose to transform their lives, regardless of the number on their birth certificate. Have you or someone you know embarked on a new adventure later in life? Share your stories with us in the comments below – we'd love to hear about your journeys and the wisdom you've gained along the way!
Elizabeth's journey into the legal profession began at an age when many are considering retirement. At 54, with a school-age daughter at home, she embarked on a path that would lead her to become a fierce advocate for women's rights. 'But once I decide to do something, I’m hard to stop,' she says, reflecting a determination that would see her through the challenging years ahead.
Elizabeth Barbour is a member of the Roanoke Bar Association. Image Credit: Roanoke Bar Association
Law school was no walk in the park for Elizabeth. She found herself surrounded by much younger classmates, feeling like 'a foreigner' in a sea of youth. The experience was isolating, but it also served to broaden her horizons. 'Three years of being pummelled with all this information really did expand my bandwidth,' she recalls.
Her tenacity didn't go unnoticed. After a negotiation exercise, a professor praised her unique ability to 'work the table,' hinting at the natural talent that would later define her legal career. Elizabeth's initial foray into law saw her working with high-net-worth individuals, but she quickly realised that her passion lay elsewhere. She wanted to make a real difference, not just argue over money.
Passing the bar on her second attempt, Elizabeth found her true calling at the age of 60 when she joined the Legal Aid Society in Roanoke, Virginia. It was around this time that her marriage ended, and she now views her decision to study law as 'a declaration of selfhood.'
Today, at 68, Elizabeth is handling 50 domestic violence cases. The work is emotionally taxing but immensely rewarding. She helps women who have endured abuse to say 'Enough' and supports them through their legal battles and life transitions. 'I can give them legal help and play an active role in their life as they are transitioning from one place to another,' she says with pride.
Elizabeth's career may seem like a 'happy accident,' but her life has always been one of purpose and independence. Growing up as the eldest of three daughters, she developed a strong sense of self-reliance early on. Her involvement in women's consciousness-raising meetings during high school opened her eyes to the possibilities that lay before her, encouraging her to 'go do your own thing.'
Her diverse career path took her from being a hand model in New York, where she was 'the hands' of Isabella Rossellini for Lancôme, to a real-estate developer in Colorado. Her family's history in building and her mother's volunteer work with the disadvantaged instilled in her a deep sense of community and service.
Elizabeth's personal life is as rich and varied as her professional one. She always knew she wanted to adopt, and her daughter, now 26, works as a paramedic, continuing the family's legacy of helping others. Her 92-year-old mother still volunteers at a hospice, demonstrating that the desire to contribute to society knows no age limit.
In the courtroom, Elizabeth has found her stride. The initial fear has dissipated, replaced by a sense of fulfilment and love for her work. 'It’s more and more rewarding. I love my office. I love my clients. I see no end to my career. It is a privilege, not a job,' she declares.
Elizabeth Barbour's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to reinvent yourself and make a significant impact on the world around you. Whether you're considering a career change, picking up a new hobby, or simply looking to make a difference in your community, let Elizabeth's empowering tale inspire you to take that leap of faith.
