North Bellmorite is Ms. N.Y. Senior America

C.J. Marie, of North Bellmore, recently won the Ms. New York Senior America pageant, a competition for women over age 60.

Susan Grieco/Herald

Marie, a longtime dancer, wowed the crowd at Hofstra University with her performance.

Susan Grieco/Herald

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North Bellmorite C.J. Marie, 63, said turning 60 can be liberating for women like her. Noting that she has raised a family and completed a long teaching career, she explained that older adults are able to take part in activities they never had time to do before.

“You’re not afraid of what people are going to say, or at least you shouldn’t be … You’re not going to let society define you,” she said. “We’ve sacrificed so much for our families and careers, so it’s our time.”

Competing in Ethel Bennett’s Ms. New York Senior America was one moment in time for Marie, which is why she chose a song of the same title to dance to during the talent portion of the contest. Another special moment awaited Marie at the end of the May 3 pageant, as she was crowned the winner.

Bennett, who will turn 93 next month, was the first Ms. New York Senior America in 1984-85; she acted as the program's first director shortly after. Current Director Marleen Schuss explained that the women of New York Senior America carry forth the message that they’re aging in productive and interesting ways.

“We offer women 60 years of age and older the opportunity to display their inner beauty, talents and elegance,” she said.

Marie, who has taken part in pageants before, said she heard about Ms. New York Senior America before she turned 60 and had to wait to participate. She instantly knew she wanted to get involved in the contest because she thought she could be a good ambassador for an organization that promotes the idea that aging can be a revival.

“I wear my years like badges of honor,” she said. “I believe that age is an attitude. Instead of thinking it’s all over, it really can be a beginning.”

Marie said she now pursues activities that she had less time for while raising her son. For 25 years, she taught kindergarten to Catholic school students in the South Bronx; at 59, she started her own business, Island Smoothie Café in Bethpage. And she recently rekindled her lifelong love of dance.

Because she has always believed in “paying it forward,” Marie has written 14 self-help books related to parenting and communication. She said she looks forward to performing in nursing homes and taking part in other volunteer efforts through the pageant.