Champions of Aging

They came from divergent backgrounds but shared a common cause: fighting for the interests, rights, financial security and overall well-being of older Americans. Learn more about these movers and shakers in this virtual hall of fame.

The founder of AARP was an educator who never stopped teaching.

• Read Andrus' story

The lifelong civil servant oversaw the creation of the Medicare system in the mid-1960s, which may have been the largest government undertaking since D-Day.

• Read Ball's story

Many compete in the Senior Olympics, but few can name the movement’s founder.

• Read Blaney's story

Butler was raised by his grandparents, became a doctor and fought prejudice and discrimination against older Americans.

• Read Butler's story

Are nursing homes "over-regulated?" she asked rhetorically. "Well, are the schools in your town over-regulated?"

• Read Holder's story

The son of a failed cotton farmer engineered the passage of Medicare, Medicaid and the Older Americans Act.

• Read Johnson's story

The Gray Panthers founder weighed only 95 pounds but packed a big punch as a crusading activist.

• Read Kuhn's story

As a senator, the one-time pipefitter helped lead the charge for Medicare.

• Read McNamara's story

Mr. Senior Citizen’s concern for those in need may have grown out of his own early struggles.

• Read Pepper's story

Witte, raised in hardscrabble Wisconsin, invented Social Security, the program that millions of retirees depend on.

• Read Witte’s story