Where We Stand: AARP Celebrates Its 50th

Fifty years ago, retired educator Ethel Percy Andrus founded AARP because she believed everyone should have the chance to age with independence, dignity and purpose. She believed, as we do today, that the generations are linked by a commitment to values, community and service.

Dr. Andrus was an activist, innovator, leader and a strong advocate for social change. The movement she ignited has grown larger and stronger than she ever could have imagined. Today, at nearly 40 million members, we are the beneficiaries of her vision and the stewards of her legacy.

AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

Join Now

Our anniversary comes during what will be one of the most significant years in American political history. We face tough problems here and abroad, and we are electing new leaders across the country. If we take steps to address what ails us, our future and the future of our children and grandchildren will be bright. If not,  we jeopardize the chances for coming generations.

So we’re 50 ... finally old enough to join ourselves! With the theme “Generations Connecting for Change,” our anniversary will help unite all Americans in building a better future. We’re connecting to learn by donating more than $1 million to public schools across the country that demonstrate a commitment to fostering civic engagement among students and their communities.

We gave our first-ever AARP Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Award in February to Lincoln High School in Los Angeles, where Dr. Andrus served as principal. The $100,000 awards have also been made to a high school in each of our other “Celebration Cities”—Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia and Washington.

AARP DC president Denise Rolark Barnes and I had the pleasure of awarding $100,000 to McKinley Tech in Washington. In a rousing pep rally atmosphere, the kids accepted the check and committed themselves, as only the young truly can, to making their city a better place.