Eva Longoria has been announced as the recipient of the 2023 Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion by the Ruderman Family Foundation. The foundation, advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities, recognized Longoria for her ongoing commitment to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities through her work with Eva’s Heroes. Established in 2006, Eva’s Heroes focuses on enriching the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through unique recreational and socialization experiences, emphasizing interaction, growth, love, and learning.
Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation, highlighted Longoria’s tireless efforts in advancing disability inclusion, citing her personal connection to the mission through her sister’s story. Longoria, a Golden Globe nominee, has consistently advocated for disability rights, drawing inspiration from her older sister, Liza, who was born with an intellectual disability. Longoria previously received the HollyRod Humanitarian Award in 2019 for her work in autism awareness.
In her statement, Longoria expressed gratitude for being recognized as this year’s Ruderman Award recipient. She emphasized the importance of disability rights as human rights, pledging her dedication to ensuring that the voices of people with disabilities are heard. Longoria joins a prestigious group of past recipients, including Selena Gomez, Kevin Love, Michael Phelps, Taraji P. Henson, and others.
Now in its 10th year, the Morton E. Ruderman Award, named after the foundation’s founder, Morton E. Ruderman, continues to honor individuals making significant contributions to advancing inclusion for people with disabilities.