Event Recap: Exhibit & Gala of Round 2 of the 50 Over 50 & Fabulous Photography Project

After months of preparation, the day of the Exhibit & Gala for Round 2 of our 50 Over 50 & Fabulous Photography Project finally arrived earlier this month on April 6, 2024! Many thanks to our Featured Women and their greatest supporters who joined us at Blackwall Barn & Lodge in Gambrills, MD to celebrate them! This project has been so close to my heart for these past several years... it means the world to me that your fabulous featured women and their friends and family were able to experience a once-in-a-lifetime event like this one. Thank you!

For those of you who missed the event, I'm posting the 50 portraits featured at the exhibit, along with a transcript of my speech, and some photos and videos of the event itself. Enjoy!

SPEECH SPEECH SPEECH!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening and welcome to the Gala of Round 2 of the 50 Over 50 & Fabulous Photography Project!

Tonight, we gather in celebration of something truly extraordinary—the courage, beauty, and wisdom of 50 women age 50 and over. Thanks to all of you for coming out to celebrate these 50 women.

Let’s give it up for these fabulous women!

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Irene Abdou, and I am the photographic artist behind this project and the owner of Irene Abdou Photography.

I created the 50 Over 50 & Fabulous photography project not just to make pretty portraits… though I am a photographer, so of course, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed that too… but also to celebrate the beauty, strength, and resilience of women age 50 and over, and to remind the world that beauty knows no age limit.

So, to the 50 women who have bravely faced the lens in Round 2 of my project, I say thank you. Thank you for your courage in stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the spotlight. In a society that often prioritizes youthfulness and perfection, you have shown yourself and us that true beauty comes in all colors, shapes, sizes, AND ages.

Your willingness to be seen and celebrated sends a powerful internal message to yourself and an external message to men and women everywhere: that you and they are worthy and deserving of love and admiration at every stage of life.

But this project is about more than just aesthetics; it's about empowerment. By boldly stepping into the frame, you have reclaimed your narrative and shattered stereotypes about aging. You've shown yourself and the world that life doesn't end at 50—it's just getting started.

Your presence in these portraits is a testament to the vitality and vibrancy of women over 50, proving that age is no barrier to living a full and fulfilling life. I know that some of you in the past, may have been reluctant to divulge your age, and it is my hope that you now feel empowered to proclaim it proudly from the rooftops!

And let us not forget the impact you're having on the generations that follow. By participating in this project, you are leaving behind a legacy of confidence, self-love, and acceptance.

You are inspiring other women of all ages to embrace their own beauty and value, regardless of societal pressures or expectations. You are teaching them that aging is a privilege and that each wrinkle and gray hair is a badge of honor earned through a life well-lived.

So, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. Thank you for your courage, your grace, and your commitment to authenticity. Thank you for showing yourself and the world that beauty is ageless and that the best is yet to come. And thank you for being shining examples of what it means to be 50+ AND Fabulous.

Now, we would also be remiss if we didn’t also thank the men who have supported you throughout this process, whether they be partners, fathers, sons, brothers, or other friends, many of whom are here today to celebrate you. Tonight, as we honor your incredible contributions, may you bask in the warmth of our gratitude and know that you are cherished, admired, and loved.

Let’s give all a round of applause to our featured women AND to their greatest supporters!

[CHAMPAGNE TOAST] Now let’s raise our glasses and toast these strong, fierce, and FABULOUS women over 50. May your light continue to shine brightly for years to come. Cheers!

GALA PHOTOS & VIDEOS

Videos are vertical! After clicking "play," you'll need to click on the "full screen" icon at the bottom right of the video to see the full video, top to bottom!