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Honoring Our Own Bonnie Prudden!

January is Bonnie Prudden's birth month. On the 29th, she will be 97 years old.That makes her the oldest person I personally know. Many of you probably don't know Bonnie's story or have even heard of her or know how she has affected your lives. She was a major part of this country's national defense and endurance capabilities for years. She was a major reason we had gym class. She helped start the President's Coucil on Physical Fitness. Her awards, TV credits (including The Bonnie Prudden Show in 1968), books and accolades are overwhelming by themselves.

I could go on for days just highlighting all the things she has accomplished. She still holds records (70 years now) for mountain climbing in NY. She invented leotards (now in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington) and the climbing peg boards in gyms. She invented Myotherapy and changed how we deal with trigger points, i.e. no more injections.

My favorite saying about Bonnie is, "If John Wayne was a man's man, then Bonnie Prudden is a woman's woman!" She helped get women out of the kitchen and showed them that they could do more than just teach, nurse or be a secretary! And in many cases, she beat men. Few men dared the climbs that she mastered.

Here are Bonnie and Dr. Kraus climbing in NY, between 1940-1950.

Wikipedia gives a brief explanation of some of Bonnie adventures. I say adventures because that is how she lives her life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnie_Prudden

She is my friend and I hope you will all make her your friend when you wish Bonnie a special, special birthday below!

I will turn it into a document from us all and send it to her.

If you are on Face Book... So is Bonnie. Type her name in the search and there she is!

Thanks~M

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Comment by Kelly Grounds on February 7, 2011 at 4:29pm: I had not heard of Bonnie until I saw this. Now I just read one of several webpages. Thank you Bonnie (even though I loathed gym class as a child) for allowing me to do more!

Comment by Mike Hinkle on February 3, 2011 at 1:22am: Thanks to everyone that commented here, on Face Book and that sent Bonnie birthday wishes!

Comment by Mike Hinkle on January 29, 2011 at 2:04pm: I think you are right Darcy and Thank you Gail.

Comment by Gail Valor on January 29, 2011 at 12:38pm: Dear Bonnie,

Happy Birthday and Thank You for all you have given us!

Gail Valor

Comment by Darcy Neibaur on January 29, 2011 at 2:35am: They will do a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie one day. They should do it while she is still a live though.

Comment by Mike Hinkle on January 29, 2011 at 1:57am: Few folks put me in awe of their accomplishments. Bonnie leaves me speechless. I can't wait to see the movies!

Comment by Susan G. Salvo on January 16, 2011 at 2:53pm: Took a class from her in the 1980s. LOVED her teaching style. Great attitude toward life and learning. Invited her to write the forward to my second-to-last book. She is an amazing woman!!! I enjoy reading about her. THANKS!!!

Comment by Darcy Neibaur on January 16, 2011 at 1:44pm: I am so glad you included me back in 2006 and I was able to meet her. She is truly a very special lady and Massage Therapist.

Comment by Mike Hinkle on January 16, 2011 at 1:41pm: Thank you both for those kind words. If women knew how Bonnie had helped them, the servers would crash with Thank You and Birthday cards. It is funny how one's decisions can affect thousands and millions of lives. Bonnie's decisions and life have done that!

Comment by Darcy Neibaur on January 15, 2011 at 5:40pm: Just an amazing woman. Thank you Bonnie for all you have done for the Massage Profession. Happy Birthday!