Sister Phyllis Bernardo was honored as one of five recipients of the “Take It On” Award at the Lifespan Celebration of Aging annual event on Thursday, March 26, in Rochester, New York. This award recognizes individuals who embrace new challenges and opportunities later in life and refuse to be limited by ageism. Lifespan serves older adults in the county, providing a wide range of resources, care services, and programs to help clients maintain their independence.
This year’s celebration, attended by approximately 1,400 people, was held at the Rochester Convention Center. The event featured a luncheon and guest speaker Ernie Hudson, known for his roles in Ghostbusters and Boston Blue. His message focused on living life to the fullest and not allowing age to define one’s potential.
As part of the celebration, Phyllis was interviewed at Mercy and her biography was shared during the event, along with a video cameo of her speaking. Sixteen members of the Mercy community attended in support Phyllis. We are so proud of Phyllis for receiving this well-deserved recognition.
Phyllis was nominated in recognition of her lifelong commitment to social justice and her continued impact in this important work. She spent two decades in the Deep South fighting for social justice. She has protested, organized boycotts, mobilized communities across the South, ran food pantries, provided education, and connected people to resources. After returning home to Rochester at age 72, she remarked she thought she was “coming home to die.”
Far from it! She has remained deeply immersed in social justice work and describes her brain as constantly overloaded with the work. She is an active participant in multiple justice groups, attends Zoom meetings, writes letters to elected officials, follows the political scene, and mentors others in advocacy. She focuses on issues such as immigration, prison reform, the dignity of women, racism, nonviolence, children and environmentalism.
Even at 6 a.m. over breakfast, she sparks conversations about social justice. For some of her fellow sisters, it may be a bit too early—but for Phyllis, it reflects her unwavering commitment to social justice. Her activism is not a single act but a way of life and lifelong vocation.