Colombian Grandmothers Celebrate Long-Awaited Quinceañeras

At the age of 72, Rosalba Casas fulfilled a lifelong dream by celebrating her delayed quinceañera in Bogotá, Colombia. On October 20, 2023, she donned a flowing pink dress and a tiara, marking a significant milestone that many in her community have long desired but never experienced. “This is the happiest day because I’m celebrating my 15th birthday,” Casas expressed joyfully, reflecting on the emotions surrounding the occasion.

Casas, along with 28 other women aged between 60 and 85, was selected by the Sueños Hechos (Dreams Come True) Foundation for this special event. Each of these women, mostly grandmothers, had faced childhood hardships that rendered celebrations of this nature impossible. For many, the quinceañera symbolizes a girl’s transition into womanhood, a tradition that, while deeply rooted, remains unattainable for countless families due to economic disparities.

The celebration began with the women riding in a limousine through the streets of northwestern Bogotá, where they enjoyed lively music and waved to onlookers. “I never rode in anything like that,” said Casas, who recalled only seeing such vehicles in pictures. “I blew kisses to everyone,” she added with a laugh, capturing the exuberance of the moment.

Many of the participants shared similar stories of uncelebrated birthdays. María Isabel Carmona, 71, reminisced about her own 15th birthday, which was marked by a modest breakfast of hot chocolate and fried eggs. “My mother was very poor. There were a lot of us kids, and we lived in a small town. There was no way to celebrate,” she explained while preparing for the event at a local beauty academy that donated its services.

In Colombia, where approximately 31% of the population lives in poverty, not all families can afford the lavish celebrations often associated with this rite of passage. The World Bank has classified Colombia as one of the most unequal countries in Latin America, underscoring the deep societal divides that impact such cultural traditions.

As the women exited the limousine onto a red carpet, they were met with an honor guard formed by uniformed police officers, who raised their sabers to salute the quinceañeras. An emotional song played in the background, capturing the essence of this poignant moment: “So fast — already 15 years, it can’t be … please, don’t grow up anymore.”

The festivities continued with the women swapping their formal shoes for comfortable sneakers, allowing them to participate in dances with police officers, family members, and friends. Many of the women have health issues such as diabetes and heart conditions, but the joy of the celebration momentarily overshadowed their concerns. “When the party begins, they forget all that and just enjoy themselves,” stated Freddy Alfonso Páez, director of the Sueños Hechos Foundation.

Founded five years ago by Páez and his brothers, the foundation initially focused on providing quinceañeras for underprivileged girls. The initiative expanded to include older women after the organizers recognized that many, like Páez’s mother, had never experienced this significant celebration in their youth. To date, the foundation has hosted quinceañera parties for 128 older women, and the annual event relies on the generosity of sponsors who provide limousines, meals, and dresses.

The celebration on October 20 was not just a party; it was a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of these women, who finally received the recognition and celebration they had long deserved. The Sueños Hechos Foundation continues to make strides in addressing the inequalities that prevent many from participating in cherished traditions, ensuring that dreams can still come true, no matter the age.