Sound Generations’ 2019 Inspire Positive Aging Award Recipients Are Announced

Recipients named at the Inspire Positive Aging Awards Luncheon on June 26 at the Bellevue Hilton
Sound Generations is thrilled to widely announce the recipients of the 2019 Inspire Positive Aging Awards that exemplify positive aging in King County.  Monique Ming Laven of Kiro 7 was on hand to assist in acknowledging the accomplishments of 49 amazing older adults who have been instrumental in modeling how to lead one’s best life in a society that often overlooks and minimizes the contributions of aging adults in the greater community.

Seven individuals were recognized for their ability to inspire those around them to age well. They represent the resilient energy, creativity, and drive that exists when people choose to define how they will live instead of letting their age define them. When these attributes are coupledwith encouraged peers, intergenerational collaboration, and engaging senior centers and community resources, some remarkable individuals shine through.  They have all made their communities better through one of six award categories: Advocacy and Activism, Community Service, Defining Inspiration, Health and Wellness, Intergenerational Impact, and Lifelong Learning.

Diana Thompson, 79

Advocacy & Activism co-recipient

Diana is a change agent! In 2018, her advocacy helped ensure that adults in Washington State who are covered by Medicaid can receive hearing aids. This year she was instrumental in raising awareness and garnering support for a legislative bill to ensure that audiology patients are informed about the benefits of hearing technologies such as telecoils and bluetooth. Her methodical, persistent, diligent, and strategic advocacy has resulted in raising awareness about Medicare Observation Status which is a little known coverage gap that can cost older adults thousands of dollars in unexpected hospital bills. As a role model for advocacy, Diana patiently mentors her peers and advocates of all ages, providing them with the information and strategies to help them be successful. She is well known and highly regarded by her state and federal legislators, city and county policy makers, and statewide advocacy organizations including those for aging, hearing, and healthcare issues.

Janet Jones-Preston, 71

Advocacy & Activism co-recipient

Janet is a grandmother who has raised her children and fostered others. Although retired, she is (in the words of Times Pacific NW magazine writer, Susan Kelleher) a SUPER volunteer. Janet, along with her son who immigrated to Ghana for graduate studies, built a home ostensibly for herself. However, upon encountering a homeless family of eight, she allows them to live in the home rent free. Upon learning that education is not a basic right as it is in the United States she mortgaged her home and provided funds for her son to start a school that is flourishing and now serves 260 students. She visits the Washington prisons twice a month, taking along fellow educators, student teachers, district superintendents, and school staff on all levels. To the Ghanaian students she represents hope and to the prisoners, empowerment and encouragement.

Sidney Rouse, 83

Community Service

For the past 8 years, 5 days a week, Sid has arrived at the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center at 6:30 A.M. to assist in the kitchen. Sid has stood by his kitchen comrades, dishing up hugs and happiness along with the food. Despite suffering from an eye disorder, he appeared each morning for duty, sporting a patch on one eye.  When encouraged to go home, he takes the moment to teach his peers: “When you slow down, your body and mind slow down. At home, I would just feel sorry for myself, but here, I have a job to do and a cook to annoy.” What is most inspiring is his humility in performing his tasks. It’s stirring to see an accomplished Boeing Test Engineer and WWII decorated veteran, find such satisfaction in performing the most basic tasks for a non-profit. He takes as much pride and professionalism in his kitchen duties as he did in the aerospace industry.

Marilyn Valentine, 84

Defining Inspiration

Marilyn is a unique, creative, and engaging person. All of her creative parts are integrated into everything she does. She models bravery, showing up as her whole self, which creates the space for others to do so as well. She was the first person at the Lake City Seniors program to openly share her partnership with a woman. Marilyn connected to Lake City Seniors through her Enhance Fitness classes. I asked her if she would co-facilitate an LGBTQ support group. After thinking about it, she agreed to help start a group, but she wanted it to be open to anyone and it would be called “Connections”. For two years, Marilyn co-led a highly successful and diverse peer support group. She was the heart and soul of this group, welcoming new members and fostering deep and meaningful friendships and connections that continue to reverberate throughout the center and our community.

Asefa Tessema, 71

Health & Wellness

Asefa, a former prisoner of war, exudes peace and calm that is rooted in his commitment to his faith and his mind/body wellness. He practices prayer, meditation, yoga, and exercises daily. Five years ago, after eye surgery left him blind, Asefa’s daughter sponsored him to come to the U.S. to try to get better treatment and regain his vision. Upon his arrival, he started attending the Ethiopian Community Center in Seattle. A few volunteers led exercise programs there for a little over a month but could not keep going. Asefa started leading the exercise. He began leading the group in a gentle yoga and aerobic exercise program two times a week to improve physical and mental health. After four and half years he eventually found and trained new volunteers that are carrying on the program. When asked about aging, he said, “Aging is not a disease, it is a blessing and a gift.”

Marletta Iwasyk, 80

Intergenerational Impact

Marletta Iwasyk, is a phenomenal kindergarten teacher. She recently turned 80 years old and has taught for over 50 years for Seattle Public Schools. Over the years, she has taught over 1275 students and continues to teach and inspire generations. Marletta’s presence in the classroom positively influences students, staff, and parents about getting older. To the kindergarteners in her class her presence makes them “blind” to aging and to not feel like you can only do things at a certain age. To the teachers/staff Marietta is a role model and inspiration. Her vast knowledge, boundless energy, wonderful personality, and caring nature inspire them daily. And it lets them know that age need not limit them. To the parents her presence shows them that age doesn’t have to limit you. Many of the parents were raised thinking you retire at 65 and Marletta challenges that mindset.

Ann Root, 92

Lifelong Learning

Ann Root has been a participant and teacher at the West Seattle Senior Center for four+ years. She inquired at the Center about visiting people who are home bound. Ann realizes the importance of community and friendship. She has been matched with two elder friends as part of our West Side Friends Program. She visits each of them one to two times a month. Ann does not drive, so she walks four plus miles each way to visit her homebound  elder friends. She also walks the four mile roundtrip to the Senior Center several times a week. Ann values learning and stretching herself in new ways. She teaches a weekly advanced and beginning German class at the Senior Center. Her skills as a teacher are exemplary. She’s also involved with an Enhanced Fitness Class and belongs to our book group. When Ann walks in to the Senior Center, we are all inspired and moved by her perseverance. At 92 years of age, her commitment to exercise and good health is evident. She walks to the Center in all kinds of weather and several of the  “younger staffers” are now inspired to do the same.

Honorable Mention

Jeanne Hayden, 95

Nominated in two categories: Defining Inspiration & Community Service

At 95, years young, Jeanne continues to contribute to her community; She makes and donates quilts for the infants and children at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Although she didn’t learn to quilt until the 1990s, she has created over a 1,000 quilts in her life. Some of her quilts have been on display at the Monroe Quilters Anonymous events and most recently at her local library. Although she suffers from macular degeneration and other eye impairments, she is not one to be defeated. Utilizing eye glasses and magnifiers she continues to make quilts.  Sometimes she works on miniature wall hangings that seem to require the combined artistry of a watchmaker and an artist. At 95, she continues to be active in her church and walks every day! Jeanne has such a pleasant and positive approach to some of the difficulties that accompany aging that inspire and show all how to age with grace.

These individuals are the reason Sound Generations exist. They remind us that the needs of older adults are ever-changing and that if we are going to support people on their aging journey through community connections and accessible services, we must ensure that those of all abilities, income levels, and cultures have what they need to age in place as independently as possible in a community that affirms aging. Aging is not only inevitable, but should be embraced considering that King County’s fastest growing population segment is the oldest old, those 85 and older. Furthermore, by 2040 the percentage of King County residents age 60 and older is projected to increase to 25%.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.  The annual Inspire Positive Aging Awards reflect Sound Generations’ commitment to older adults while changing the narrative and aesthetic associated with aging.

About SG: Sound Generations is the most comprehensive non-profit organization serving older adults and their loved ones in King County. Established in 1967, we support almost 60,000 people and those who care about them annually on their aging journey through community connections and accessible services. Our ten core programs and six senior centers are constantly striving to expand the provision of food security, transportation, health & wellness, and assistance services to underserved and marginalized populations.  We are committed to helping all people, especially those in low income communities and communities of color, obtain the services they need while feeling included and respected.