Former Nevada Democratic Party Chair Virginia Cain has become the third person in the 14-year history of the University of Nevada, Reno Sanford Center for Aging to be honored with the center's Living the Legacy Award.

The award recognizes long-time commitment to improving the lives of Nevada elders. It was given to Mrs. Cain as a surprise at the organization's annual awards and recognition ceremony May 7.

The two previous recipients of the award are the late accountant and University of Nevada, Reno Foundation Trustee Lowell Bernard and the late Susan Gortner, formerly the Orvis Endowed Professor in the University's Orvis School of Nursing.

Among other activities, Mrs. Cain, 85, has served on the Governor's Commission on Aging, the Nevada Silver-Haired Legislative Forum, the Advisory Board for Human Services in Washoe County, the Home Health Advisory Board for Renown Health, and the Committee on Senior Issues, Social Security and Medicare for the Democratic National Committee's Association of State Democratic Chairs and Vice Chairs.

She also has been a member of the Sanford Center for Aging's Community Advisory Board for six years.

A former teacher and personnel counselor, she moved to Reno from Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1964. Her long-time activities within the Democratic Party have included working on the presidential campaigns of Adlai Stevenson and John F. Kennedy. In addition to serving as state party chair, she is a past member of Democratic National Committee and a four-time delegate to Democratic National Conventions.

Created in 1993, the Sanford Center for Aging develops innovative programs, supports education and research, and partners with community organizations to "add life to years" of Nevada elders.