- Tom Joyner, Lonnie Ali, and Leeza Gibbons Also Recognized -

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with more than 35 million readers, today announced the recipients of its eighth annual Inspire Awards. The Inspire Awards salute 10 outstanding individuals who are using their energy, creativity, and passion to make the world a better place. The 2010 honorees include Lonnie Ali (Voice for Parkinson's), Clint Eastwood (Daring Director), Aida Giachello, Ph.D. (Latino-Health Activist), Leeza Gibbons (Voice of the Caregiver), Scott Hamilton (Cancer Crusader), Tom Joyner (Education Advocate), Brenda Krause Eheart (Bridge for Generations), Lilly Ledbetter (Equal-Pay Advocate), Captain Richard Phillips (Reluctant Hero), and Raquel Welch (Advocate For Cancer Survivors).

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"These ten compassionate, forward-thinking and daring individuals stand up for causes they believe in and they've found unique ways to inspire others to action," said Nancy Graham, Editor of AARP The Magazine. "Through their extraordinary contributions to society, this year's Inspire Award honorees motivate our readers to get involved, give back, and make a difference in their own communities."

Honorees are profiled in the January/February 2010 issue of AARP The Magazine, in homes now and available online at www.aarpmagazine.org. Additionally, now through the end of February 2010, entries are being accepted for AARP The Magazine's Inspiration Vacation contest, presented by Beaches Resorts and The Sandals Foundation. The contest calls for people to nominate those who have made significant contributions to society through service. That worthy person and a guest could win a luxurious trip to the Caribbean for a unique experience that combines a 5-star vacation with two days of service. Details are available at www.aarpmagazine.org/inspirationvacation.

THE 2010 INSPIRE AWARD WINNERS

Lonnie Ali - Voice for Parkinson's

Yolanda "Lonnie" Ali didn't know much about Parkinson's when she married the most famous athlete in the world, Muhammad Ali, in 1986. Since then, she's learned firsthand how the degenerative effects of the neurological condition have stolen the former heavyweight champion's physical abilities and left her to take on multiple roles as partner, caregiver and public voice for research. Her advocacy efforts have led her to testify before Congress on behalf of the National Parkinson Foundation as well as to help start the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

Clint Eastwood - Daring Director

At a time when most of his Hollywood peers are focused on grandchildren and rounds of golf, Clint Eastwood, who turns 80 in May, continues to take on projects that challenge audiences to think about difficult, sometimes uncomfortable issues. "I'm always trying to tackle subjects that tax me and make me think," Eastwood revealed to AARP The Magazine. His "never-too-old-to-learn philosophy" is clearly evident in the provocative subject of his next film, Invictus, which is already an early frontrunner for an Oscar nod this year. The film is set in South Africa amid the fall of apartheid and focuses on the true story of Nelson Mandela's release from prison and his determined plan to use World Cup rugby as a path to racial harmony. Even with critical acclaim and success, Eastwood doesn't show signs of slowing down. "The reason I don't retire is that I learn something new every day. It's about expanding, constantly pushing yourself," he says.

Aida Giachello, Ph.D. - Latino Health Activist

Aida Luz Maisonet Giachello learned early on from her impoverished childhood in Puerto Rico that health problems disproportionately affect the Latino community. Since then, she has emerged as a national advocate in academia at the Midwest Latino Health Research, Training, and Policy Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. There, she works tirelessly to enact policies that promote good health, prevent disease and control chronic illnesses by collecting and analyzing data. While a lot has been accomplished, there's still more to do. "The poor, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, and women are still not getting [adequate] access to health care," she says.

Leeza Gibbons - Voice Of The Caregiver

For 10 years Leeza Gibbons and her two siblings witnessed their mother slip slowly behind the "veil of Alzheimer's." Gibbons, 52, TV veteran and host of radio's Hollywood Confidential, immersed herself in becoming an advocate on behalf of caregivers. "It's not just about the person who has that disease but everyone who loves and cares for that person," she says. Gibbons cofounded The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation with James Huysman, Psy.D., to provide caregivers with resources to ensure their own health and well-being. At centers in five states, caregivers are paired with an advocate who helps them navigate the often consuming web of issues that come with a loved one's diagnosis.

Scott Hamilton - Cancer Crusader

For Scott Hamilton, fighting testicular cancer with the same determination that helped him win a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics was only part of the treatment. In addition to inspiring millions with his successful battle, Scott founded the Scott Hamilton CARES Initiative - established at the Cleveland Clinic's Taussig Cancer Institute. The organization promotes cancer awareness and raises funds for research, recently hitting the $10 million mark in its goal. One thing Hamilton hung onto throughout his struggle was his credo. "The only true disability in life is a bad attitude," he says.

Tom Joyner - Education Advocate

Fifty years ago 75 percent of African-American undergraduates attended black colleges; today only 20 percent do. With declining enrollments and shrinking endowments, radio personality Tom Joyner wanted to preserve the experience of historically black colleges and universities that his family enjoyed throughout the years. In 2009, 11 years after founding the Tom Joyner Foundation to keep students enrolled at HBCUs, Joyner, age 60, has helped put 14,000 students through college and has raised over $55 million in donations.

Brenda Krause Eheart - Bridge For Generations

The phrase, "it takes a village," means a lot to Brenda Krause Eheart. In her quest to establish a community for parents adopting foster children, Eheart recognized a need for an intergenerational influence as well. She invited older residents, who receive subsidized rent, to live in the community of Hope Meadows in Illinois, where they spend their retirement years serving as volunteer grandparents.

Lilly Ledbetter - Equal-Pay Advocate

Lilly Ledbetter learned what "a day's work for fair pay" really meant while picking cotton on her grandfather's farm. After 19 years working as a night-shift supervisor for Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Alabama, earning performance awards and accolades, Ledbetter learned she was making considerably less money than male supervisors. To even the playing field, Ledbetter embarked on an eight-year fight for equal compensation. The battle eventually led to the Supreme Court, followed by Congress, which passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. Ledbetter knows her fight was worthwhile. "The young people getting out of school think discrimination is a thing of the past," she says. "But when they hear my story, they know. We've got a long way to go."

Captain Richard Phillips - Reluctant Hero

Vermont resident Captain Richard Phillips doesn't consider his heroic actions against gun-wielding Somali pirates on the high seas particularly noteworthy. "I was just the idiot who got caught," he says. Along with offering himself up as a hostage, it was his quick actions that allowed the ship to be disabled, cargo secured, and the crew members of the Maersk Alabama to get into safe rooms by the time the pirates boarded.

Raquel Welch - Advocate For Cancer Survivors

Raquel Welch, age 69, has been an international symbol of beauty for most of her life. After teaming up with Hair U Wear to create the Raquel Welch Signature Collection of wigs, the actress realized she could help women struggling with the effects of chemotherapy. "To chemo patients, losing hair starts to represent losing," says Welch. "It doesn't have to be that way." In 2009, Welch was recognized by the American Cancer Society for her generous donation of more than $1 million worth of wigs annually since 2000.

Additional information on AARP The Magazine's 2010 Inspire Award honorees can be found online at www.aarpmagazine.org/inspire.

About AARP The Magazine

With more than 35.7 million readers nationwide, AARP The Magazine (www.aarpmagazine.org) is the world's largest circulation magazine and the definitive lifestyle publication for Americans 50+. Reaching over 24 million households, AARP The Magazine delivers comprehensive content through in-depth celebrity interviews, health and fitness features, consumer interest information and tips, book and movie reviews and financial guidance. Published bimonthly in print and continually online, AARP The Magazine was founded in 1958 and is the flagship title of AARP Publications.

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.7 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's nearly 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

SOURCE AARP

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