LeadingAge Georgia Announces 2018 Icon in Positive Aging

After six decades of working with the likes of Ray Charles, James Brown, and BB King, Beverly “Guitar” Watkins will be the star of the show on November 18 at the Atlanta History Centerwhen she will receive LeadingAge Georgia’s Positive Aging Icon Award.

Ms. Watkins has been a fixture in the blues community for years after starting her musical journey near Atlanta in 1959. She has played throughout Georgia and toured the United States and Canada. Locally, she was a beloved fixture at Underground Atlanta for many years. With the advent of YouTube and Facebook, a whole new generation of fans have also found Ms. Watkins. Known for her intense guitar playing, she opened the door for other female blues guitarists and is still playing at 79 years of age.

Jacquelyn Thornton, Senior Vice President of LeadingAge Georgia, said: “Ms. Watkins’ talent, longevity, and spirit is a shining example of positive aging. She sets the stage for others by showing that age doesn’t have to slow you down or keep you from doing what you love … and providing joy to others.”

Ms. Watkins is the seventh recipient of LeadingAge Georgia’s Positive Aging Icon Award. Past recipients include: Bishop Dr. Barbara L. King, former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell, former Atlanta news anchor Monica Kauffman Pearson, Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz, Ambassador Andrew Young and 1968 US Olympian, Dr. Mel Pender.

In addition to Ms. Watkins, there will be 18 other honorees at this year’s ceremony. These 19 elders were all selected based on those who have changed lives, achieved a positive aging lifestyle, and continue to give of their tremendous talents and wisdom. They include Michael Halpern, a Lenbrook resident and 27-year volunteer with YES! (Youth Experiencing Success), aprogram that works with at-risk inner-city youth to give them tools to open new life possibilities; and Sondra Rhodes-Johnson, the Principal of Rhoades Strategies Consulting. Ms. Rhoades-Johnson has previously worked as Fulton County Tax Commissioner; Georgia Technology Authority's Chief Planning Officer for IT Strategic Planning; and Executive Director of the Georgia Council for the Hearing Impaired. She currently serves on the AARP Georgia Executive Council.

“These two recipients, as well as the others who will be honored demonstrate the positive aspects of aging and how at any time of life, we can give back and make a difference in the community and the world at large,” said Thornton.

The public is invited to the ceremony and can register for it here.

For more information about the Icon Awards, please contact Jacquelyn Thornton of LeadingAge Georgia at 404-889-8536 or jthornton@leadingagega.org.

LeadingAge Georgia is the statewide association for over 170 not-for-profit and other mission-driven organizations dedicated to providing quality housing, health care and community-based services for Georgia's seniors. LeadingAge Georgia and its educational arm, the Georgia Institute on Aging, host the annual awards event to raise awareness for quality elder care and to fund year-round educational opportunities for paraprofessionals, professionals and family members who provide elder care.