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AgeSong Sponsors Pacific Institute’s 2008 Eldership Awards at Marines Memorial Theater, Nov 6 – Keiko Fukuda and John Levy Win Prestigious Honor

Age Song | November 06 2008 | Victoria Steiner 510-635-4150

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Honorable Sensei Keiko Fukuda, highest-ranking female practitioner of judo in the world, and John Levy, whose dedication in the nonprofit world have made American culture more humanistic and compassionate, and who has shaped the success of many important nonprofit organizations in the field of psychology and spiritual health, are the winners of the Pacific Institute's 2008 Eldership Awards.

These awards, which have been given for four years, recognize the lifelong contributions of two of the Bay Area’s outstanding elders. The event is being sponsored by AgeSong, a family-run group of assisted-living senior communities in San Francisco and Oakland, whose holistic, therapeutic environments focus on the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of its residents, and provide specialized programming that lovingly supports elders in being who they are.

Fukuda was born in Tokyo, and began practicing the art of judo at the age of 21, attending the first judo class that allowed women. Now in her 90s, Fukuda Sensei is revered as the last living disciple of Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo. She has spent her life inspiring others, especially women, in this ancient art of self-defense. Fukuda holds the rare 9th-degree black belt. No woman has ever achieved that rank in history and many of the highest ranking teachers in the world have come to study with her. She is the author of Born for the Mat (1973), reissued in 2005 as Ju-No-Kata: A Kodokan textbook, Revised and Expanded from Born for the Mat.

Levy is a pioneer in field of existential humanism and his leadership in the field of nonprofit organizations has helped shaped the success of many important nonprofit organizations in the fields of psychology and spiritual health. He has more than 25 years experience in private practice working with individuals and families on issues involving inherited wealth. He is the author of Inherited Wealth: Opportunities and Dilemmas (2008).

A celebration of their unique talents and life’s work begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2008 at the Marines Memorial Club, 609 Sutter Street in San Francisco.

“We are proud to sponsor this important event and to recognize two outstanding people whose have made significant contributions to society. Their wisdom and their lives exemplify the best of what eldership can be,” said Nader Shabahangi, CEO of Agesong.

The Eldership Awards have been presented bi-annually since 2004 and benefit the Gerontological Wellness and Expressive Arts Therapies Programs of Pacific Institute. Previous winners have included feminist journalist Gloria Steinem, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, spiritual teacher Ram Dass, AgeWave Founder Ken Dychtwald, Professor Richard Wiseman and author Elizabeth Bugental.

Pacific Institute is one of the West Coast’s most innovative non-profit educational organizations dedicated to offering new perspectives in the field of mental health, gerontology and the education of future caregivers. Pacific Institute’s multi-faceted approach includes the AgeSong Institute of Elder Wellness, the Awakenings Institute of Mental Wellness, the Pacific Institute Academia and its Elders Academy Press. Proceeds from the benefit will help Pacific Institute further its specialized programs, including the Gerontological Wellness and Expressive Arts Therapies Program.

Tickets for Pacific Institutes 2008 Eldership Awards are $150 and are available on line and at the door on Thursday, November 6, 2008. For tickets and information, visit the website www.pacificinstitute.org or call (415) 861-3455.

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