The esteemed actress, director, producer, entrepreneurial maven, and passionate activist Eva Longoria has been accoladed with a prestigious honor for her unwavering dedication to supporting individuals with disabilities through her remarkable nonprofit, Eva's Heroes. The Ruderman Family Foundation, a long-standing advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society, has chosen Eva Longoria as the recipient of the 2023 Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion.
This announcement, made on Monday, recognizes Longoria's tireless efforts with Eva's Heroes, a nonprofit organization she founded in 2006 to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through innovative recreational and socialization opportunities. The organization provides a welcoming space for teens and adults, centered around the four pillars of interaction, growth, love, and learning.
In a statement, Jay Ruderman, the president of the Ruderman Family Foundation, praised Longoria for her embodiment of the foundation's mission. "Eva Longoria profoundly exemplifies our commitment to advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities. Her dedication to this issue, coupled with the deeply personal motivation stemming from her sister's story, has propelled significant change in the disability community," he said.
The Golden Globe nominee has openly spoken about the profound influence her elder sister, Liza, who was born with an intellectual disability, has had on her life. In 2019, she was recognized for her efforts in autism awareness with the HollyRod Humanitarian Award. Longoria expressed her gratitude for being chosen as this year's Ruderman Award recipient, stating, "My sister Liza's disability instilled in me the importance of community service from a young age. That's why I established Eva's Heroes to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities nationwide. Disability rights are human rights, and I've made it my life's work to ensure their voices are heard. Together, let's build a just and inclusive society that empowers everyone, regardless of their abilities."
Longoria joins an illustrious list of previous Morton E. Ruderman Award recipients, including renowned entertainers and sports stars like Selena Gomez, Kevin Love, Michael Phelps, Taraji P. Henson, Peter and Bobby Farrelly, and Marlee Matlin, as well as former U.S. Senator and ADA ally Tom Harkin, self-advocate Ari Ne'eman, and Harvard University professor Dr. Michael Stein. Named in honor of the foundation's founder, Morton E. Ruderman, the award continues to celebrate its 10th year of recognizing outstanding contributions to the inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
