Eva Longoria Receives 2023 Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion

Eva Longoria is being honored by the Ruderman Family Foundation for her ongoing commitment to supporting people with disabilities.

The actress, director, producer, entrepreneur and activist was announced Monday as the 2023 Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion recipient by the foundation, which has for more than two decades advocated for and advanced the inclusion of people with disabilities throughout society. Longoria is being honored for her work with Eva’s Heroes, a nonprofit founded in 2006 and focused on enriching the lives of people living with intellectual disabilities through unique recreation and socialization experiences. The organization offers an inclusive setting for teens and adults built on four tenets: interact, grow, love and learn.

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“Eva Longoria strongly embodies our foundation’s commitment to advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities — not only due to her tireless work on the issue but also through just how personal this mission has been for her,” said Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation, in a statement. “Just as the Ruderman Family Foundation draws inspiration from my father in its efforts to expand opportunities for people with disabilities, Eva powerfully effects change for the disability community based on the motivation she summons from her sister’s story.”

The Golden Globe nominee has spoken publicly about the personal impact her older sister, Liza — born with an intellectual disability — has had on her life and was previously honored for her specific work around autism awareness in 2019 with the HollyRod Humanitarian Award. In her own statement, Longoria shared that she was honored to be recognized as this year’s Ruderman Award recipient.

“My older sister Liza was born with an intellectual disability, so my mom instilled in all of us early on the importance of giving back to our community, which is why I founded Eva’s Heroes to provide a platform to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities around the country,” the Flamin’ Hot director said in a statement. “For me, disability rights are human rights and the voices of people with disabilities should be heard. I have dedicated my adult life to make sure that they are heard. Let’s work together to build an equitable, inclusive society that empowers people of all abilities.”

Longoria now joins the company of past Morton E. Ruderman Award recipients, including 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.

Now in its 10th year, the award was named after Morton E. Ruderman, the founder of the Ruderman Family Foundation.

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