When envisioning heroes, most of us look to public safety officials like firefighters, police officers and military personnel. Or people who’ve completed amazing feats of physical endurance like Olympic athletes or Iditarod racers. While those are truly remarkable individuals, we seldom look at elderly folks who’ve lived regular lives and continue to thrive.
That’s why the LeadingAge Georgia felt the need to recognize those who not only make it past their golden years, but remain positive and active. This year 20 elders from around the state will be honored at a ceremony Nov. 8 at the Atlanta History Center.
LeadingAge Georgia and its educational arm, the Georgia Institute on Aging, host the annual awards event to raise awareness for quality elder care and to fund year-round educational opportunities for family members and professionals who provide elder care.
Among the truly amazing individuals is Bishop Barbara L. King of metro Atlanta, who will be receiving the Positive Aging Icon award from LeadingAge Georgia. King, a spiritual leader, started her ministry in Atlanta 44 years ago after stints at Spelman as a dean and at the Emory Mental Health Department. Her lifelong service to others is a vibrant example of how individuals can continue to grow, learn and contribute at any age. Some recent highlights of her life journey:
· At 80, she became an Episcopal bishop.
· At 81, her footsteps were added to the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.
· At 82, she received her doctorate of ministry from the Ecumenical Theological Seminary of Detroit.
· Today, at 85, King continues her ministry worldwide with the nondenominational Hillside International Truth Center.
King is the fourth recipient of the Positive Aging Icon Award, joining the ranks of former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell, former Atlanta news anchor Monica Kauffman Pearson and Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz.
“We are passionate about reframing the image of aging, as well as giving senior living and aging services providers a dais to celebrate the importance of their workforce as care partners for positive aging,” said Jacquelyn Thornton, senior vice president of LeadingAge Georgia, the statewide association for over 170 not-for-profit and other mission-driven organizations dedicated to providing quality housing, health care and community-based services for Georgia’s seniors.
My great-aunt Ruth Butler of Atlanta is also among the honorees. As the only centenarian in the group at 100, she serves on several committees at Little Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur and is a regular attendee at New Horizons Senior Center in Atlanta. She’s the eldest of six children and the only surviving sibling, but remains the head of her family, handing down home-spun wisdom and loving words of encouragement.
“I’ve learned that if you treat people the way you want them to treat you, life will be a lot kinder to you,” she said. “My faith in God and my compassion for my fellow man have kept me humble and grateful for every day on this earth.”
The event is open to the public and will include a roundtable discussion with the honorees.
To purchase tickets and for other information: www.leadingagega.org or 404-872-9191
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