Traditionally, women have not been allowed to express themselves and their sensuality in the ways that they may want to. This is especially true for older women. Not only has society sent women the message that they are only valuable while they are still young and beautiful, but it has also dictated that as a woman gets older, she must “act her age”. The box in which a woman must fit into becomes increasingly smaller as she gets older, where suddenly we are no longer allowed to express our sensuality or celebrate our beauty and strength. This grandmother, for her 70th birthday, decided to go against what society dictates of her and did a boudoir photo shoot – and the results are incredible!
70-Year-Old Grandma Does Boudoir Photo Shoot For Her Birthday
People have all kinds of opinions of what an older woman, especially one who is a grandmother, should and shouldn’t do, wear, want, or be. This expectation as women get older that they will just put aside everything they have been or want to be to fit into the box that society has built for “modest, doting grandmother” is unfair, at best. Rather than give into the idea that women need to move over and stop living, thinking, and feeling as they age, some older women are choosing to fight back against this stereotype. This is exactly what Coleen Garcia’s Tata Syra wanted to do for her 70th birthday. How exactly did she do it? By taking a boudoir photo shoot. Coleen posted a reel that included some of the photos on her instagram with the following caption:
Tata wanted a boudoir shoot for her 70th birthday, and @mymetrophoto made it happen! 😍
Happy 70th birthday to this badass woman! Thank you for teaching me—for continuing to teach me—what it is to be strong, confident, and empowered. I love you, and I will forever be grateful for everything! ✨ @syragarcia8
Thank you so much also to our AMAZING team for making Tata’s birthday wish come true. 🤍 (1)
Redefining The Word “Grandma”
When most of us think of our own grandmothers, we probably don’t think about a woman who regularly goes to the gym, takes dance classes, and who wants to pose in front of the camera in lingerie to celebrate seven decades of life. Intentionally or not, Syra Garcia is challenging the way we define grandmothers and what is “acceptable” for older women to do and be. A grandmother of 10 and with one great grandchild, Syra is not letting any archaic stereotypes or expectations define her. Known as “The Fitness Grandma”, Syra goes to the gym nearly every day. Her Instagram shows photos and videos of her lifting heavy weights, taking dance-based aerobics classes, boxing, and more. She is inspiring not just older women, but all women. Every day she proves that older women have value, have lots of life left to live, and that they can continue to be themselves and do what they love, no matter what society has previously said that they should and shouldn’t do. (2)
Plenty of Adoring Fans
The comments on her Instagram are more than enough proof of how she inspires people. On all of her posts, people regularly comment on how inspirational they find her and how much of a rockstar she is. On the posts about her boudoir photo shoot, people again have admired her confidence. The comment section is filled with messages of people saying that they want to be just like her, not just when they are her age, but even now, as well. On her granddaughter Coleen’s post, one user commented:
I would loved to be like her. The essence of the woman is not about the size and shape. It’s about celebrating you. Self love and respect and it’s is not being selfish. We are worth it. To be bold and confident thats another level. God bless!
Women like Syra Garcia are throwing away all the old boxes that older women have previously needed to fit into as they age. They are showing us that women are beautiful, strong, independent, and valuable no matter their age. Syra and other women like her are paving the way for women in the future to be able to choose who they want to be and stay true to who they are. They are reminding us that being a loving, adoring grandmother isn’t defined by how you dress or what you do in your own life. Rather, it is defined by how you love and support your family. Cheers, Tata Garcia – and continue to be who you are and do what you want.