Portland, April 3rd, 2013. Several of Oregon’s long-time residents were honored for demonstrating ongoing involvement and commitment in their work and communities. The “Ageless Award,” was given by the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation (JFR) at its annual community luncheon at the Multnomah Athletic Club. The honor illustrates that all people can live a life with meaning and purpose, regardless of age or circumstances. Jeannine Cowles was one of the recipients of the Ageless Award and had a chance to catch up with Dr. Keren Wilson, president of the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation, and Dr. Marvin Kaiser, a Board Member and president of Mary’s Woods Retirement Community.
The award itself was designed by artist, historian and Portland’s oldest retired police officer, Frank Springer.
From the THE JESSIE F. RICHARDSON FOUNDATION
Dr. Keren Brown Wilson, JFR’s founder and president, was motivated to set up the foundation in the mid 1970s because of words spoken by her mother, Jessie F. Richardson who said “Why don’t you do something to help people like me?” At the time, Dr. Wilson was a graduate student in gerontology and her mother was a 60-year-old nursing home resident. Her mother’s words directed the course of Dr. Wilson’s professional work with frail, low-income elders. Now JFR Foundation works in developing countries on aging-related issues. Its board of directors includes a cross-section of talented local and national experts in community-building, health care and higher education: http://jfrfoundation.org/about-us/board.html.