Age, Schmage. I hope that when I become an "older adult," I will still be going
strong. Stronger than ever, perhaps, launching into a second chapter
full of adventure and new insights.
Many people are doing just that nowadays, and there's an award to honor the most remarkable among them. The Purpose Prize,
whose 2009 winners have just been announced, is dedicated to supporting
those who "are taking matters into their own hands and fashioning a new
vision of the second half of life." The Prize is an initiative of Civic Ventures, a think tank addressing the subjects of boomers, work and social purpose.
The
winners are people who are putting their lifetimes of experience and
skills to noble uses, creating some good news. As the Prize Web site puts it:
"Unwilling to stuff envelopes or go off quietly to the sidelines,
thousands of innovators in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond are combining
their creativity and experience to address big social problems."
Here's a peek at the big winners, who will each receive $100,000:
- Elizabethand Stephen Alderman, both 68, from Bedford, NY, who travel the worldtreating victims of terrorism in memory of their son who was killed inthe September 11 attacks.
- Judith Broder, 69,from Studio City, Calif., who rallies psychiatrists like herself tooffer free counseling to soldiers, veterans and military families.
- DonCoyhis, 66, of Colorado Springs, Colo., who built on Native Americantraditions to build a nationwide substance abuse recovery program.
- HenryLiu, 73, of Columbia, Miss., who uses his engineering skills to makebricks out of a by-product of coal-fired power generation.
- TimWill, 61, of Rutherfordton, NC, who brought broadband Internet accessto Rutherford County and founded a Web site that connects local farmerswith restaurants in Charlotte.
Another group of five winners receive $50,000. Do you know someone over 60 who deserves this kind of honor? Nominations are being accepted for the 2010 prize.