2025 Gerson Award for Rising Leaders

The Gerson Award for Rising Leaders, sponsored by the Gray Panthers NYC, celebrates early-career (7 years or less) emerging advocates who are making a powerful impact in the field of aging services with a particular emphasis on fighting ageism. 

 

Recipients will receive a $250 honorarium. 

 

This award honors individuals who have recently stepped into the movement with passion, creativity, and dedication, challenging age-based discrimination and reshaping narratives around aging.

 

Whether through activism, education, storytelling, research, policy work, or other field, the recipient of this award is a bold new voice driving awareness and change. Their efforts may include launching initiatives, fostering intergenerational dialogue, influencing public policy, or using media to challenge stereotypes and promote age equity.

 

This award recognizes contributions and potential to become a leading force in the movement, inspiring others to join the fight for a world free from age bias.

 

Applications are due no later than July 15, 2025.

 

Recipients will be notified by August 1, 2025.

 

The celebration event will take place virtually during the Gray Panthers NYC's Transformation Tuesday event on August 26, 2025.