Stories of Reinvention: Gladys Burrill

Gladys Burrill was known for being a multi-engine aircraft pilot, mountain climber, desert hiker, horseback rider, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, co-creator of one of Oregon's largest family-owned lumber businesses, and philanthropist. But you don't get the nickname "Glady-ator" just for that.

Gladys was born in 1913 to Swedish immigrants, she survived polio as a child, lived through poverty, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and countless other world events. She was married for 69 years to her husband, Eugene, and they raised six children.

When most people are satisfied simply walking around the block, at the age of 86, Gladys ran her first marathon. She would go on to finish five more marathons, becoming the oldest woman to complete a marathon at the age of 92 and being recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for her achievement.

Reinvention can come at any time. It is never too late to pursue who you want to be. There may be some setbacks, some hardships, and some long roads (literally) ahead, but the journey to be who you were meant to be is a journey worth taking.