Open Letter to the 'Today' show (Hoda Kotb & Kathie Lee Gifford) from Arthur Murray Sherman Oaks Student, Goldie Levenstein
Friday, January 20, 2012 Arthur Murray Sherman Oaks' students and staff would like to lend their support to student Goldie Levenstein by reproducing, with her permission, her recent grievance letter to the Today show in response to some of their recent programming:
Dear Hoda Kotb & Kathie Lee Gifford
c/o The Today Show, NBC
I've watched your show for many years and enjoyed it very much. However, a few months ago, you had a segment featuring five women in different age groups (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s). The five women were talking about going after one's dreams and passions at any age. I thought: how about after the 60s? I took exception to this. It was as if you were saying that no one past their 60s was worth knowing or listening to.
I am an 89 year old woman who has taken up ballroom dancing at Arthur Murray a little over a year ago and it has really become my passion. I'm striving to become a good dancer without making allowances for my age. Dancing has given me a new lease on life. I'd hate to think what I would be doing now if I hadn't gone after my new passion. I know I would not feel as if I were getting younger all the time.
I am sending you a DVD [see clip in this article] showing my Solo Dance featuring my instructor, Josh Becket (28 years old) and myself dancing. The music is titled "Sugar Mama" to show you I have a sense of humor. The audience, as you'll see/hear, went crazy.
Another thing I've noticed is on your Friday Makeovers: there are no older women. You know, we older women like to look good also. I also wonder at your ignoring this segment of the population as they are becoming an ever-increasing segment and are likely to continue growing.
Thank you for listening to me.
Goldie Levenstein
Valley Village, CA
[address and phone number not reproduced]
To follow Goldie's wonderful example and pursue your dream to learn to ballroom dance, click here and type "Goldie" in the message field.
Blog posting by Tom Antonellis
Reader Comments (2)
Thank you all for listening. I'm not an person who tries trying to make waves or create problems but I sincerely feel that it's important to acknowledge our older population which is getting bigger all the time. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not a trouble-maker, trouble-seeker or attention hog but I do feel strongly and I thank you for reproducing my letter here. I welcome any comments you might have.
-Goldie
Goldie, you are the poster child for "You're only as old as you feel." It doesn't matter how old or young you are; life isn't worth living if there are no more dreams to pursue.