2026 Inspire Positive Aging Awards

Thank you so much for attending our 21st Annual Inspire Positive Aging Awards!

This celebration of our Inspire Positive Aging Awards reflects what’s possible when community, compassion, and courage come together to honor and uplift older adults across Western Washington.

2026 Award Recipients

Congratulations to the recipients of the 21st annual Inspire Positive Aging Awards.

Norberto Caoili

Advocacy & Activism

Norberto supports and was president of the Filipino Community of Seattle, sits on the board of the Association of Filipino Engineers of Washington, member of Gawad Kalinga-Seattle, Coalition of Filipino American Organizations of Washington, Bituin Lions Club and so many others. He is a prime example that no matter what your age, you can touch lives and work towards leaving a lasting impact on the community.

John Romero

Community Service

John is a Vietnam Veteran who has dedicated his retirement to supporting and advocating for Native American veterans in and around King County. He runs the Akichita Warriors program at Unkitawa, and puts on various events throughout the year, including the Veterans Day Powwow, Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Powwow, and the Circle of Indigenous People at Northwest Folklife Festival. He is a leader and a central figure in the Native veteran community, and the community would not be the same without his work.

Dorothy Chin

Defining Inspiration

At 102 years old, Dorothy is known as one of the most active and joyful members of her community. She naturally brings people together through her warmth, enthusiasm, and willingness to engage with others. Within her community, she regularly attends events, greets others who live in her building each day, builds a book of stories about her peers, and is always ready to share a smile and laugh. She approaches each day with gratitude, kindness, and curiosity.

Mattie Taplin

Health & Wellness

As a dancer and fitness instructor, Mattie is an inspiration, sharing about the mobility issues she’s gone through. She offers a message that these struggles and aging are not a source of shame but an opportunity to seek support, community, and to learn new tools to help others through exercise.

Susie Burdick

Intergenerational Impact

After 25 years in the theatre and arts, where she mentored actors of all ages, Susie moved into fundraising and nonprofit work. She recognized the importance of early learning and began significant expansion services for the Bainbridge Island community. Her work with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community cannot be overstated as being inspiring and deeply impactful.

Dr. Georgia McDade

Lifelong Learning

Dr. Georgia McDade is the founding member of the African American Writers’ Alliance, writes for the South District Journal and South Seattle Emerald, co-founder of the Western Washington Poets Network, and helps students in a multitude of ways. Her numerous activities, support, and involvement in the community has made a significant impact in the lives of hundreds, if not more.