Staying Fit
Helen Ruth Elam Van Winkle, a 90-year-old retired Kentucky factory worker, has some advice for people who think social media platforms are for the young. Van Winkle, known as @baddiewinkle to her 3.8 million Instagram followers, told an audience at the media and music conference South by Southwest this week that she sees herself playing a key role in breaking down myths about aging.
“All these older people say to me, ‘I want to be like you,’” Van Winkle told the crowd. “To them, I say, ‘Have a good time in your life. Spend time with your children, your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren, because they can teach you a lot.’ When I got into the Instagram business, I didn’t know a thing, but now I learn something new every single day.”
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Van Winkle, a colorful fashion trendsetter and all-around provocateur, was one of four of the most popular and inspiring age 50-plus figures on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and beyond who spoke at an AARP-sponsored panel at South by Southwest. Also included:
- Dian Griesel, 57, aka @silverdisobedience, a magnetic, silver-haired “age disruptor” whose daily “essays” provide inspiration on living with passion and fulfillment at 50 and beyond to 132,000 Instagram followers.
- Cindy Livesey, 55, the woman behind “Living Rich with Coupons,” which helps her 500,000 Facebook fans save money by shopping smarter and being savvier consumers.
- Irvin Randle, 57, an elementary school teacher turned fashion star with 222,000 Instagram followers at @irvinrandle.
Noting that 73 percent of Americans age 50 and older use social media at least once a month, Martha Boudreau, AARP's chief communications and marketing officer, reminded the audience, “That’s 100 million people,” adding that 43 percent use social media daily. “What’s good for 50-plus is good for every other generation,” Boudreau said. Social media is all about “harnessing the power of platforms to talk about our life stories.”
