Previous Years' Winners
2011 Award Winners Tom Kobayashi & Eileen Allen
Tom Kobayashi
Tom Kobayashi is in his 75th year of extraordinary volunteer service. Strongly emulating him in just one of his exceptional areas would make me an incredible person. It would take me many lifetimes to achieve the dignity and excellence of human character that he has become.
Eileen Allen
Eileen has that special ability to really connect with people. Every time I hear Eileen speak I am inspired, touched and always leave feeling invigorated, and, well, happy. I want to be just like Eileen when I grow up!
2010 Winner Kristian Nielsen-Herrera
Kristian is a shining example of dedication to physical fitness, intellectual stimulation, care of spiritual needs and a giving attitude. He has had numerous major accidents in traffic and at work, airplane crashes, operations, and a temporary paralysis. Kristian suffers from tinnitus and chronic pain from major knee surgeries and a hip replacement. Yet he is a lover of life, active living, and thoughtful connection with others. Riding his bike from Queen Anne to West Seattle three times a week and walking, Kristian chats with others, many also suffering from life's tribulations. He speaks with them in an uplifting, concerned manner. He listens to their stories. Kristian gives them encouragement to keep moving, keep looking up, always with a bit of humor and liveliness. In simple words, he cares.
2009 Winner Nina Harding
Nina Harding was announced as 2009's Inspire Positive Aging Award winner at the Senior Services Annual Meeting May 28, receiving two roundtrip tickets to any Alaska Airline destination, and her nominators have $50 to spend at Barnes and Noble as thanks for bringing Nina to our attention.
Nina told the appreciative audience, "You know, I never planned on getting old-ER, but as I get older, it certainly is an honor to walk in my grandma's footsteps. It's always the awards from those who live in your backyard that are the most rewarding and the most humbling. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
A spirit like that enabled Nina to graduate from law school at age 52 and continue to practice and give of her time to the Elder Law Clinic throughout physical challenges that would stop a less-determined person. "My passion is to serve our elders, whom I believe are some of Seattle's most precious gifts of wisdom. My elders taught me to seek to serve." Congratulations to our 2009 Inspire Positive Aging Award winner!
2008 Winner Dolly Castillo
Dolly Castillo has been called “the very heart of the International Drop-in Center.” At 84 years old Dolly never seems to stop moving. She was a Physical Education teacher for 40 years, and says that being a gym teacher was the best training for getting older. Dolly continues to encourage physical activity and health, but now in an older population. With the firm but gentle attitude that gets things done and gets people moving, Dolly sees her primary goal as helping other seniors improve their outlook on life. “Activity makes you young…I tell everyone the need to ENJOY themselves and keep busy.”
When asked what she thought was the best thing about aging, Dolly replied, “You can make all the mistakes you want and nobody cares.”
2007 Winner Mary Perkins
Mary Perkins says, “Life begins at 90.” That’s when she moved to a Seattle retirement community and impressively re-invented herself—from small town to big city life, from wife to widow, from disabling illness to improved health, from home isolation to contact with diverse people, from sedentary life to challenging activities. She says, “It’s never too late to start living and learning. Everything I do is an adventure!”
The elegant 93-year-old exudes her enthusiasm for life and learning. Her daughter, who nominated her, says, “Mother is great at encouraging people to believe in themselves. She accepts assistance with grace, often writing notes of appreciation, and she compassionately and respectfully assists others. “
When Mary accepted her award, she offered this advice for positive aging: “Be with people, help each other, try new things, laugh at yourself, be grateful, always have something to look forward to, make the most of every day, wear red, and dance!
2006 Winner Idore Anschell
Idore has dealt with adversity with tenacity, a sense of humor, and an openness to people that has made her friends in every generation and of many cultures. Two life-long friends crossed the state to celebrate her 70th birthday with her.
Idore taught English in Beijing while raising her daughter alone. In her 70’s Idore pursued an M.F.A. in writing and is a published poet and writer of children’s stories
Her nominator said of her, “[She] doesn’t give up, commits to doing her best work, and does it all with the best of humors. The best reason for being friends with Idore is that she’s so much fun!”