Melinda Blau

Melinda Blau is a veteran journalist and author of 16 books, the last of which she finished after running through Paris, shouting, "I'm eighty. I'm eighty." Part Paul Revere, part Elmer Gantry, Melinda warns us about ageism and preaches the gospel of "her old ladies," the nine women in their 90s and beyond featured in "The Wisdom Whisperers." They lit her way, and Melinda is among them, a proud old lady herself, giving Gloria Steinem's, "This is what 40 looks like," a new spin: This is what 82 LIVES like.