Spunky Old Broads Day, marked annually on February 1, is just a breath away and we are undeniably bursting with contagious excitement! The special holiday created by Dr. Gayle Carson in 2002 aims to dispel the myth about life automatically winding up for women once they hit the 50 mark. Need proof? Trailblazing Kamala Harris, who at 56 shattered racial barriers by becoming the 49th Vice President of the United States — the first woman, first Black American, and first person of Asian heritage. Martha Stewart, aged 50, secured her empire with the transformation of her brand. Patricia Field, “Sex and the City” costume designer, also hit success at 54.
History of Spunky Old Broads Day
In a world that tends to tip the scale in favor of younger women, undermining talents, remarkable achievements, and legacies of badass older women whose zeal and passion have impacted us in ways words adequately fail to describe. Author/T.V. Consultant Dr. Carson boldly changes the narrative with her much-needed initiative Spunky Old Broads Day. This special holiday urges women aged 50 and over to fully embrace the beauty of aging, revel in their authentic selves by living regret-free lives to the fullest. Not just for old women, it eloquently describes all women as Spunky, Open, and Brave (S.O.B.).
Big picture: we see it at our every turn; how from age 50, the rousing applause gradually starts to fade, spotlight drifting to younger talents and just like that, years of hard work and dazzling brilliance is swiftly forgotten, and with that comes an overwhelming feeling of worthlessness, doubting of capabilities, loneliness, and invisibility. While society places limits and barriers on the 50 milestones, Dr. Carson S.O.B preaches otherwise. She believes 50 isn’t a life sentence that automatically closes the window on your most significant successes; instead, for women with fire and spirit, 50 could very well translate as the perfect spur to reinvent self, conquer even more territories, achieve greater accomplishments, and impact their world.
Ushering in this fun month-long holiday — Spunky Old Broads Month — Spunky Old Broads Day, kick-started in 2002, pays homage to the wisdom, vitality, inner beauty, strength, and talent of incredibly vivacious queens aged 50 and beyond who have weathered the storms of life, and devoted their lives to guiding us with their knowledge and experiences.
Dr. Carson creatively used words such as spunky, old, and broad, with negative connotations to create something positive — Spunky Old Broads (S.O.B.).
Spunky Old Broads Day timeline
Derived from the Scottish word 'spunk' — a blend of spark + funk — it further traces its roots to Gaelic, meaning courage and spirit.
German activist Clara Zetkin brings up the idea for a women’s day at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in the presence of 100 women from 17 countries.
Celebrated annually every March 8, the United Nations helmed celebration kicks off in 1908 as a labor movement, recording its first-ever celebration in 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland on March 19.
Between 1912 and 1914, ‘broad’ is used as a derogatory term referring to women of low virtue — it would later metamorphose into females in general, suggestive of a woman because of her broad hips.
On December 14, the United Nations General Assembly formally designates October 1 to the International Day of Older Persons to celebrate senior citizens across the world.
Spunky Old Broad Dr. Carson creates this highly significant holiday to encourage women to celebrate spirited older women embracing aging, and making their impact felt.
Spunky Old Broads Day FAQs
What is Spunky Broads Day all about?
It is a special day set aside to celebrate spirited, brave, and inspiring older women whose sacrifices and achievements greatly inspire us.
What is Spunky Old Broads Month?
Celebrated the whole of February, it applauds shining examples of women 50 and beyond who have boldly weathered the storm, breaking barriers and living by their own rules, proving age is in the mind.
How do we celebrate Spunky Old Broads Month?
You could join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #SpunkyOldBroadsDay and follow up with Dr. Carson with her books and podcasts to learn more.
Spunky Old Broads Day Activities
Renew your zeal for life
So what if you've crossed the big 50? You’ve still got a whole lot to live for. It's not too late to conquer new terrains, go on an adventure, try a new skill. It's your life. Call the shots.
Learn to live in the moment without regrets
So you've made tons of mistakes, that's proof you're human. Mistakes ultimately become experiences that mold us to be better. Forgive yourself and move on.
Employ the ‘little things’ to celebrate S.O.B
Spend quality time, spark up memories with photo books. Let them know how much you appreciate their personality and how important they are to you. Don't forget to document your special day with Dr. Carson via the hashtag #SpunkyOldBroadsDay on social media.
5 Important Facts About Spunky Old Broads Day
Spunky Old Broads Day Slogan
"Women are like fine wine. They get better with age." A no-brainer urging women to trash age limits and boundaries, dive into life's unending adventures, scale new heights, and revel in the accompanying bliss.
Jennifer Lopez is the 2020 Spunky Old Broad
Past winners include Cloris Leachman (the first Spunky Old Broad), Dolly Parton, Michelle Obama, Bette Davis, Lena Horne, Robin Roberts, and more.
Dr. Carson wears many hats!
An internationally recognized speaker, media consultant, coach, author, Dr. Carson, the originator of the day, lives the S.O.B mantra, rewriting her script by the minute with her growing list of titles.
Dr. Carson is a warrior
The bestselling author is a four-time breast cancer survivor who has passed through 16 surgeries yet embraces a positive outlook, living a regret-free life.
She's always been a diva
At age three, while performing a somersault in her first dance recital, her crown fell off; she boldly asked that the music be stopped so she could wear her crown.
Why We Love Spunky Old Broads Day
It urges us to fully embrace our truest self
It reminds us to break free from dictates, live life to the fullest, and lead our authentic lives.
It brings us back to the basics
S.O.B Day unites us, reminding us to stay connected, pay attention to our older citizens and make them feel understood and loved for who they are.
It inspires us
Time has been known to put a lid on one too many dreams but seeing those trashing the stereotype, reinventing themselves, and achieving greater success makes us feel we can too.
Spunky Old Broads Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 1 | Saturday |
| 2026 | February 1 | Sunday |
| 2027 | February 1 | Monday |
| 2028 | February 1 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | February 1 | Thursday |
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