Ageless Heroes

Jet, June 7, 1999

Evelyn McGee Stone, 78, receives an "Ageless Heroes" Award and a hug from former first lady Barbara Bush as her husband, former President George Bush, applauds. The Bushes gave six seniors "Ageless Heroes" Awards during a ceremony in Chicago. Chosen by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, the seniors were honored for their accomplishments after age 65.

Stone of Winter Springs, FL, is a jazz singer. Her recent CD is titled Jump Black. Joining the Bushes onstage are other honorees Lois Dupuis, 81, of Polson, MT, a legally blind advocate for seniors; Arnold Bull, 80, of Rumson, NJ, the nation's oldest practicing aerobics instructor; Joseph Naughton Jr., 65, of Redondo Beach, CA, a diabetic and inspiration to his 14-year-old granddaughter who also has the disease; Harriett Smith, 81, of Natchez, MS, who began to learn to read at age 75 and is pursuing her goal of reading the Bible from cover to cover; an unidentifled woman and Charmayne Dierker, 71, of Chesterton, MD, who founded Mothers Supporting Daughters with Breast Cancer. At left, Smith joins Mrs. Bush and Dupuis, Bull and Dierker at the Harold Washington Library, where the ceremony was held.