SC AAPR President Charles Johnson (r) presents Jean Br idges with the 2009 Andrus Award for Community Service. The first thing the exuberant Jean Bridges said to me when I met her about ten years ago was, “I plan to meet 1,000 new friends in Columbia this year. You are number 357.” She achieved her objective a few months later and went on to gain thousands of new friends each year.

Last week as she approached her 80th birthday, Jean Bridges was honored by a few of her closest multitude of friends and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). State AARP President Charles Johnson presented Jean with the 2009 Andrus Award for Community Service, the highest award given by the AARP which was founded by Ethel Percy Andrus in 1958.

Along with the Andrus Award, Jean was honored by Gov. Mark Sanford, Congressman Joe Wilson, S.C. Senator Joel Lourie, S.C. Senator Nikki Setzler, and S.C. Representative Kenny Bingham.

Jean Bridges has always followed Ethel Andrus’ motto, “What we do, we do for all.” While working for Southern Bell in Atlanta, she taught craft classes to disadvantaged girls, prepared meals for the blind, and hosted parties for veterans. When she and her husband reached age 50, they joined the Buckhead AARP chapter and soon ran the show.

Her volunteering in Atlanta included the Peachtree Road Race, the Fabulous Fox Theater, and the Atlanta Symphony. After her husband died, Jean moved to Columbia to care for her mother. Her goal of meeting people led her into leadership roles in the Capital Senior Center, the AARP chapter, and the Shepherd’s Center.

Not one to shun political activism, Jean jumped into the fray on the side of seniors. Organizations that felt the velvet force of Jean Bridges were the Silver Haired Legislature, the Council on Aging, the Lt. Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging, the Carolinas Committee for Medical Excellence, the USC School of Medicine Mentoring Program, and the Foster Grandparents Program.

In addition to her political and philanthropic activity, Jean has raised two daughters, nine grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Her friends are legion, her works are legend.