Over 40 And Beautiful

Many women dream of becoming models, but not after the age of 40. More magazine made ten women's dreams a reality with their model search contest.

More magazine's search for a new over-40 model has given the face of beauty in America a bit more character. "Beauty is about attitude over 40," said Lois Joy Johnson, More beauty & fashion director.

Out of 4,000 contest entries, the magazine picked ten finalists and flew them to New York. The ten women paraded down the runway in hopes of being chosen the winner of a $15,000 Wilhelmina modeling contract—and the ultimate validation that middle age can be beautiful.

The winner of the $15,000 contract was 52-year-old Elizabeth Cullumber, a mother of two from California. She designs jewelry, participates in yoga and running, and also works as a speech language pathologist after earning her masters degree at the age of 45. "It feels great… I had no idea," exclaimed Cullumber.

Cullumber said she feels that being a model was not a possibility when she was younger since there were many more restrictions for young women, and today older women have so many possibilities. "I hope it opens the door for people of my era, and they won't look at 50 as the end," she added.

Dayle Haddon, a judge in the More magazine model search said, “This was a difficult decision since all the women exemplified what I call my ageless principles.” She explained that these principles include active lifestyles, healthy diets and regular exercise.

Haddon told CBS Early Show's Jane Clayson that by the year 2010, the population over the age of 40 will increase by 40 percent. "I think it is time to expand the idea of what beauty is all about," commented Haddon.

Winner Elizabeth Cullumber plans to fulfill her Wilhelmina contract as both a runway and print model, which will add to her already active lifestyle.

Written by Zoy Avgerinos