
Forever Fierce day is finally here! The Forever Fierce Revolution is a revolt against stereotypes and ageist thought. We, as a small army of midlife women, are using our blogs to battle ageism. It is my honor, and an incredible privilege to be able to share these voices with you. Real women. Real voices. Real fierceness that’s forged from battles and victories and challenges. Real fierceness is created from struggles and an attitude of survival. I believe that it’s a choice…to be FIERCE. The definition of fierce is “showing a heartfelt and powerful intensity”. The common thread I found in all these stories was this: Faith. It’s clear to me that their strength comes from their deep faith, and in their incredible resilience. God has given them beauty for ashes. And a fierce faith. Read on, and be inspired.
Isiaah 61:3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
Marilyn: After being diagnosed with an incurable cancer in May, I had no other choice than to be FIERCE. I just retired from the teaching profession after thirty one years and was looking forward to living a relaxing and carefree life. I thought I would have a thorough checkup before my insurance changed and that’s when I got the news. A large malignant tumor was on my adrenal gland and it had to come out immediately along with four lymph nodes. Most of my summer was spent recovering from surgery and four chemo cycles in the hospital at MD Anderson. Right now I’m feeling great, but know the cancer has a history of recurring. Through the chemo, hair loss, and other side effects, I decided that I would find joy in every day. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. ❤️
Beth: Fierce has many directions in my life. Planning a funeral, laying my only sibling to rest, and cleaning out his house following suicide. Parenting my mother and my children at the same time. Inviting my father-in-law to live with us following my mother-in-law’s funeral. Caring for my father-in-law through stages of dementia and following a stroke, allowing 24/7-sitter care in my home. Visiting my father-in-law who’s now in a nursing home, weekly. Helping my daughter plan a beautiful and perfect wedding on a limited budget. Welcoming my 30 year-old son back home as his wife wants to end a 10-year marriage. Being a rock for my son as works through the devastated feelings following the marriage breakup. Taking care of me and doing things I enjoy. Attending events alone rather than with a group of friends. Trying to be better today than I was yesterday. I am FIERCE.
Steffanie: Being fierce in midlife means waiting until your youngest child leaves the nest to finally go after the long awaited degree. Being fierce in midlife means giving up your weekends and time with family for seven years in order to study, write papers, and do homework. Being fierce in midlife means being the oldest person in your cross fit and Zumba classes and still holding your own. Being fierce in midlife means becoming a runner for the first time at 52 and completing three half marathons and countless 5k “fun runs.” Being fierce at midlife means quitting a comfortable, cushy, and lucrative job in finance and accepting a difficult, stressful, and sometimes overwhelming job as a child abuse investigator. Being fierce at midlife means having the courage to follow life long dreams and passions, despite the obstacles and doubts. Being fierce at midlife means finally, finally, finishing what you started and living the life you always thought was beyond your reach.
Linda: Fierce at fifty means surviving the good, bad , ugly and coming out the other side a stronger better person. A fierce woman whom I never knew existed has evolved as I pass thru the many chapters in my life. Faith in knowing God has a plan in every situation. I will never understand why my beautiful son of 21 years took his life, i will never understand why 18 months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer, why my sweet dad is currently dealing with this nasty brain cancer that also took my mother in law 2years ago. Fierce is when you keep smiling thru the darkest of days. I’m blessed beyond words , have so much to be thankful and I will prevail. I surround myself with equally fierce woman who are made of family and friends.
Mary: Being Fierce in midlife means overcoming the loss of both my mother to Alzheimer’s as well as my husband of 39 years to cancer. It means picking up the pieces, and getting out of bed every morning, and going to work, even when the fog of grief and exhaustion is so thick I can barely face the day. It means reaching out in faith to find new love, a different kind of love, with a sweet, compassionate man who adores and understands me. I’m thriving now, and I love my new life, new thrills, and new trails as I ride off into the sunset on my Can-Am Spyder. This is not the life I expected to have, but it’s the one God has graced me with. I am blessed, and I am Fierce!
Robin: What is fierce at 56? Being fierce was and is a process. Daily I have the opportunity to decide, will I be fierce today or will I get sucked in to the pits. There was a time when I was frozen in anxiety. Almost unable to leave the house. After much prayer and pain the scripture psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord and He heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit …
So I am fierce. When others try to pull or push me back into the pit, I fight back.
Denise: I’m fierce, feisty, and fun. My road has been well traveled, pitted with heartache and loss. I was a victim of domestic abuse. Slowly, I became a survivor. And now, I am a VICTOR! I believe that God doesn’t give us more than we can bear. I trust the life He has given me. Let’s celebrate the lessons along the way. My sweetest rewards are in the “now”. Precious husband, wonderful children, delicious grand babies
I am 57 years young, and known as “Sizzle”….that makes me laugh. Every time.
Patricia: Fierceness is finding a way to maneuver the crossroads of this stage of life… guiding, nurturing, and loving our family members that are just entering the world( grandkids) along with our aging grandparents and parents.
Fierce Faith


I can relate to all of these women as I too am in the middle, grappling with the beauty & tragedy of this life, claiming Gods promises to me and finding my fierceness!! Beautiful blog, can’t wait to read more!
Thanks so much. I’m so impressed by their strength and resilience!
It’s so inspirational to read these stories and hear the voices of these women!! We are all so unique yet so alike and I think it’s this fierceness that keeps us strong!!
Thanks for being part of this fabulous and Fierce day!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
This has been such an incredible experience Jodie. Thanks for giving me this wonderful opportunity to share their stories. ❤️
Wow!
That is my first reaction to all the women you have honored sharing with us today!
Such strength, grace, and fierceness surround all of them!
Thank you for being a part of this day with us!
Happy Forever Fierce Day!
Robin
https://helloim50ish.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-forever-fierce/
Thanks so much for reading. It’s been a joy to share my friends’ stories.
These amazing women and their stories is incredible! What an inspiration. Thank you for letting us hear their awesome voices.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks you for sharing the stories of these amazing women! What an inspiration. Thanks for letting their awesome voices be heard.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Andy, you have shared so many beautiful women with such beautiful stories. At first, my heart was breaking reading some of them, but then as you continue learning about their journeys, it fills the heart with warmth. We are all strong women and so many of us do not know our own strength until we are forced to be strong. And when we are forced to be strong, we prevail! And we can prevail with even more success when we support and empower one another! I am loving this campaign and reading all of these amazing stories about the journey into midlife. Stay fierce, my friend!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thank you! They are incredible women. I’m blessed to know them❤️
What truly inspiring journey’s these women have shared here. Thank y’all for being fierce in your own way.
So happy I stopped by, I’ve certainly been uplifted. & Sizzle…I love that!!!!
Thanks for dropping by and reading about my friends! They’re an inspiration to me, and I’m so glad that now they’re an inspiration to other women too.
Beauty from the ashes- what a beautiful way to express the common bond of faith.
It’s so fitting! From the coal comes the diamond…
Love this Andy! Truly inspirational and Fierce is taking charge of your life. Well done ladies.
Wow! So many strong and truly inspirational women. Loved reading this!
Thank you! It’s been such a great day!
So many of these fierce women I have been blessed to call friend💕 I am truly inspired by each of them💖
So blessed to call them friend. You too!
Such a great idea. What amazing stories of fierce faith. Life is just plain hard.
It’s not life’s challenges that define us, it’s how we roll with them! These ladies are a testimony to that. ❤️. Thank you for reading.
What a beautiful post! Thank you for the inspiration and postive energy you have provided by sharing these wonderful women’s stories.
I hope they inspire women of all ages! Thanks for reading!
What an amazing read! Thank you so much to everyone that shared within this post. You are all amazing FIERCE women that truly deserve recognition.
Jemma x
What an inspirational group of women!
Wow – such encouraging women who have been through so much.Inspiring women to be around. 🙂
These stories are amazing! I’m so happy you shared these women, their struggles and how they have pulled through. They are so inspirational and have made me appreciate my mom even more ❤️
Wow, can’t believe what some of the ladies have been through and still have such a positive attitude. Truly courageous, strong women!!
Debbie
styledesignmusings.com