The Diana Gregory 2016 Senior Awards Luncheon was held on September 30th at the Camby Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. This was the fifth year for our awards ceremony and just when I thought we reached our peak last year, many were left saying we continue to get better year after year. For 2016, we made a few changes to keep our program fresh and to keep our attendees guessing a little. We added new award categories in the areas of Living Legacy, Health, Corporate Philanthropy, and Athlete of the Year. This allowed us to recognize 6 extraordinary seniors who transformed their communities by standing in service to the needs of others.

Mrs. White received the Living Legacy Award for her vision and hard work in creating Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Café, a staple in Arizona for over 50 years. During her acceptance speech, she talked about the overriding factor that motivated her to succeed in a tough competitive business – her children. Through her hard work and vision, Mrs. White was able to not only serve our community with great delicacies but to also educate her children to become successful in the world of academia and business. Due to her legacy, three restaurants have been opened and are owned by her grandson under the name of Lolo’s Chicken and Waffles and there are many franchises.

Dr. Leland Fairbanks received our award for his pioneering work to ban smoking in public places. Though it is very difficult for us to envision today, smoking was once prevalent in of all places, hospitals. This is where Dr. Fairbanks focused his initial efforts. Once he convinced the Native American Hospital System to ban smoking in its hospitals, other hospitals around the country took note and began to follow suit. “The key to change,” he said, “is to get someone to start an initiative. Once that happens, others will take note and follow suit,” he noted. Dr. Fairbanks also commented on the importance of diversity among medical professionals in minority communities.

Sue Glawe received the Corporate Philanthropy award. She is a stellar model for seniors serving in corporate America and each day, she emulates the culture at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, which focuses on improving quality of life.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was being presented to Alfredo Gutierrez. He is an author, immigration activist, former state senator and president of the Governing Board of Maricopa Community College.

The Honorable Cecil Patterson, a retired judge from the Arizona Court of Appeals, has shared his time, talents, and mentoring skill with countless community organizations, boards, and committees. He received the Dick Gregory Humanitarian award.

Our attendees were captivated by the story of 86-year-old nun, Sister Madonna Buder, who is the feature of a Nike commercial titled Unlimited Youth which aired during the luncheon. The commercial chronicled Sister Buder’s participation in more than 45 triathlons and countless marathons and races. When Susan Casper asked what makes you do what you do during her Sonoran Living segment earlier in the day, Sister Buder replied, “I don’t know, I just do it,” as if wired into a Nike commercial. Nothing could be further from the truth, however, as Sister Buder is more committed to the work with the prisons and others as part of her religious order in Spokane, Washington.Upon receiving our “Athlete of the Year” award, Sister Buder quipped “the only thing I have truly succeeded in doing, is growing old.”

We added a fashion show moderated by Kay Oliver and produced by A Joyous Event Planning & Management. The models for the show were seniors, some of whom had been honored at previous awards luncheons. Vickie Moe, at age 103 strutted across the stage with an ease that those a century her junior would envy. Dr. Gladys McGarey,  Dr. Josephine Pete, Barbara Atkins, L. Elaine Neal, and Wilma Osborne were also featured and were recognized with an award for their outstanding work in the community. The contemporary clothing for the fashion show was provided by Worth New York which wowed the audience almost as much as the special models.

This event is a reminder to the seniors participating that you are never too old to go beyond their natural age. This event is most impactful and meaningful for many seniors sitting in luncheon who share in the pride that they have contributed so much over the years and continue doing, as if to say “so, see us, value us and love us.”

Sponsors for the luncheon include: ONECare by Care1st Health Plan Arizona, Inc.; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Southwest Airlines; Cox Communications Inc., Henkel, Phoenix IDA, Arizona Foundation for Women; AARP, Arizona Community Foundation, Arizona Public Service, Carstens Family Funds, Arizonans Concerned About Smoking, Arizona Informant, and Majerle’s Sports Grill.