Happy birthday, Kamala Harris. Women over 50 are proud of you.

Today Vice President Kamala Harris turns 60. And the best years of her professional life are still ahead of her.

Of course, by the president's standards, 60 is downright youthful. Harris' current boss is 81 years old. Her Republican opponent is 78 years old. Both are under intense scrutiny, with Donald Trump's apparent cognitive decline casting an increasingly dark shadow over the election.

Compared to these much older men, Harris' relative youth is palpable – even as she shows the wisdom and pride that comes with age. As she celebrates on Sunday, Harris is actively dismantling worn-out stereotypes about what 60 should look or feel like.

I took a close look at Harris' campaign appearances and her debate with Trump in September. It's clear to me why he refused to go on stage with her again.

For a moment, just before their first (and only) debate began, I was worried. How would she stand up to the sometimes brutal scrutiny that presidential candidates typically face? But almost immediately my worries disappeared. She owned this New York stage. Not just with their answers and their skills – but also with their demeanor, their joy, their eloquence and their control. Seeing Harris under that bright light was inspiring — for women and for anyone who has felt underestimated or excluded.

She was great. And that's exactly what 60 means to women today: greatness.

In fact, Harris' pride — in both her accomplishments and her experience — is clear whenever she steps out in public.

There's no doubt that women over 50 face stigma and age-related challenges – especially in the workplace. According to a 2022 AARP survey, ageism is the most commonly reported form of discrimination among women age 50 and older. This problem is even worse for women of color, as black women over 50 report the highest levels of discrimination, according to AARP, “with 70% saying they experience discrimination on a regular basis.”

It's a type of bias that men honestly don't see that often. And it's another obstacle many women face as they plan their careers while also serving as mothers and caregivers.

Despite the importance of older women in the workplace, analysis this year from the Center for American Progress suggests that many women face career headwinds as they age:

But when I see Harris on stage, I don't see anyone who is “old.” I see someone great. I see someone who has made it. I see someone capable of becoming America's first female president.

I am 57 years old; 60 is just around the corner. But Harris made me upset about the milestone. I thought my career would be over at 40. And here comes the Democratic nominee, showing us all why the best can truly lie ahead. There's still time to do your best work, get the promotion of a lifetime, or fulfill your biggest, brightest dreams.

In 2021, when my women's empowerment platform Know Your Value partnered with Forbes to release our first-ever “50 Over 50” list, Harris – along with television producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes, founder Julie Wainwright and investor Cathie Wood – headliner of our first edition. Let's take a look at today: As the Democratic candidate, Harris is considered the “younger,” fresher contender. Imagine that.