• A Living Legend must be a Fellow in good standing and a member of the Academy for at least 15 years.
• They must be sponsored by three (3) Regular or Emeritus Fellows in good standing.
• A sponsor may only nominate ONE applicant as a Living Legend per year.
• Academy Board Members, Living Legend Task Force members, and Honorary Fellows are not eligible to serve as sponsors.
• The nominee must consent to be nominated.
• Nominations should address the following:
  • Describe the extraordinary and sustained contribution of the nominee as an exemplar and changemaker in nursing history;
  • Share examples of how the nominee or nominee's work will have a positive, enduring impact on improving health policy, promoting social justice, and/or advancing health equity through their body of work to champion nursing and health care.

• Completed nomination online submission form.
• Three (3) support letters, one from each sponsor (co-signatory is not permitted), addressing the criteria for the Living Legend nominee, must be included from each of the three sponsors in good standing.
  • Please note only ONE sponsor should submit the nomination form on behalf of all three sponsors. However, each sponsor should draft their individual statement as noted above.
• A condensed biosketch or CV (may not exceed five pages) of the nominee should be uploaded via the online submission form.
• A $475 nomination fee is required. Electronic payments must be made at the time of application submission. If paying by check, it must be postmarked prior to the nomination deadline. Upon submission, you will be directed to the payment page.
  • Please note that the Academy can only accept full payment from one Sponsor on behalf of the group. The Academy cannot process multiple payments for the nomination fee.

Please note, addendums, attachments, or additional materials are not permitted and will not be accepted or reviewed if submitted. Only the nomination form, three (3) support letters (not to exceed 3 pages per support letter), and a condensed biosketch or CV (not to exceed five pages) will be accepted.

Each nominee will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated sustained contribution of the nominee as an exemplar and changemaker in nursing history;
• The positive, enduring impact of their previously described body of work on improving health policy, promoting social justice, and/or advancing health equity to champion nursing and health care.
  

Please note, Living Legend nominees who were not selected in prior years may be nominated again for consideration.

• Selected honorees agree to provide a biographical statement (500 words) and high-resolution electronic photo for inclusion in the Living Legends ceremony and program.
• Honorees will receive complimentary registration for the annual policy conference at which they are being recognized.
• Honorees will be introduced at the Living Legends ceremony, scheduled for October 17, 2025*.
• Honorees will be presented with a recognition gift from the Academy.
• Honorees will no longer be required to pay annual dues and receive lifetime benefits of Fellowship.
• Honorees will be designated as "Living Legend" status.
• Sponsors of selected honorees agree to participate in the Academy's policy conference and recognition events for the Living Legends, which may include an interview to highlight the honoree’s accomplishments.

*Policy Conference Format
The Academy will host an in-person conference in Washington, DC on October 16 - 18, 2025 at the Marriott Marquis hotel.

Contact Claire Holland, Member Engagement Manager, at cholland@aannet.org.