er. Once you realize this, you can let life unfold. You get to the point where you just say, "I'm not going to worry anymore; I've done that long enough."

- Jeanie MacPherson, 72

IF YOU GO

What: Wise Women: A Celebration of Courage, Strength and Beauty When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays through Jan. 7, 2005 Where: YWCA Women's Art Gallery, 898 Walnut St., downtown Admission: Free

For her photo essay Wise Women, now on view at the YWCA Women's Art Gallery, Joyce Tenneson traveled across the U.S. to photograph and interview dozens of women whose ages ranged from 65 to 100.

The women are posed formally for the sepia-toned portraits. Many of them are clothed in shoulder-baring draping and holding (or wearing) playful props that reveal character.

They are from all walks of life. What they have in common is that they are redefining what it means to be elder in this new millennium.

Tenneson, 58, noted the theme arose because "I was dreading getting older."

Question: There are lots of famous "Wise Women" - Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Dame Judi Dench, Odetta, Gloria Steinem, Coretta Scott King, Angela Lansbury, Lauren Bacall - who was the toughest subject to land?

Answer: Coretta Scott King. That took six months.

Q: Do you have a favorite?

A: Elva Azzara . . . She's 93. She says, "I still remember what it's like to love with all my heart."

Q: Are you still dreading getting older?

A: No! I've completely lost that myth. What I found were women who've come to terms with who they are. Their children are long gone, they've lost their partners in many cases, but after mourning they're pleasantly surprised and stimulated. They've developed new talents. I would want to have most of them as a best friend."

E-mail jdemaline@enquirer.com