At the heart of the Alzheimer's Association Michigan Chapter is a community of passionate, dedicated individuals who fight to END ALZ across the state - whether through facilitating support groups, leading community education programs, rallying a Walk team or advocating for change with state and national lawmakers. Or in Bertha Bullen’s case, all of the above.

At the Alzheimer's Impact Movement Forum in Washington, D.C. in June, Bullen received the national 2025 Advocate of the Year award in recognition of all of her work. 

“While I don't advocate for any sort of recognition, it is truly an honor to be selected for this award and know that all the little things I do are seen as coming together to make a difference,” Bullen said.

Bertha Bullen was awarded the 2025 Advocate of the Year at the AIM Forum in June.

Bullen first encountered Alzheimer’s in 1984 when her husband Jim’s mother was diagnosed. Over the years, the couple has faced a growing connection to the disease - grandmothers, mothers, aunts, cousins, and eventually, Bertha’s brother and sister all developed dementia. These personal experiences shaped her understanding of the disease and ignited a lifelong commitment to make a difference. 

“After Mom died in 2007, Jim and I found we had lots of experience and some free time. We thought we might have some experiences to share that could be of help to others just starting their journey, so we decided to volunteer,” Bertha shared. “Through volunteering, we learned there were more ways than we had imagined where we could have an impact.” 

Bertha and Jim have been facilitators for a caregiver support group since 2009, offering guidance and empathy to those navigating their own caregiving journeys. She became a community educator in 2024, joined the Lansing Walk committee in 2019, and now also serves on a national volunteer leadership group. 
 

Motivated by a passion for research – Bertha was a researcher at Michigan State University and received her Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Physiology – and by a desire to amplify her support for caregivers beyond her support group, Bullen also decided to get involved with advocacy beginning in 2009. Since then, she has served as an Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) ambassador for Sen. Gary Peters, then-Rep. Elissa Slotkin, and Rep. Tom Barrett. She’s also been a powerful voice at the state level, meeting with Sen. Curtis Hertel, Sen. Sam Singh and Rep. Julie Brixie.


Through her advocacy work, Bullen has seen the power of showing up and sharing your story – one conversation can spark real change.

“A senator's staff person knew nothing about Alzheimer's or dementia the first time we met,” she said. “We talked at some length about the disease, current research and the need for more research funding. About four months later when we met for the second time, that staff person was excited to talk about Alzheimer's research he'd been following since our first meeting. He had become both knowledgeable and engaged in Alzheimer's and dementia as a legislative focus!” 

Alzheimer’s has touched nearly every branch of Bullen’s family tree and she channels that experience into action. She finds hope and strength in the community of advocates she’s met along the way, especially during events like the AIM Forum and state advocacy days. 

“These events are not only a chance to make a difference,” Bullen said, “but also a chance to connect with friends and make new ones.”


“Bertha’s dedication to advocacy is truly remarkable,” shared Matt Phelan, Michigan Chapter Public Policy Manager. “She’s been a key part of our program from the start and has served as a mentor to so many other advocates. Our Michigan advocates have built such a strong, supportive community, and it was amazing to see her fellow advocates—and friends—cheer her on and celebrate her well-deserved recognition.”




Bullen encourages everyone to consider getting involved with advocacy. 

“Remember that we all owe it to our legislators to tell them what is important to us,” she said. “They represent you, and it’s not fair to expect them to do a good job if they don’t know what you need. Your story is unique and powerful. It needs to be shared.” 

As she stated in her award acceptance speech, “Singly, our stories may feel like a mere whisper in the wind. But together, those whispers become the roar of a powerful hurricane.” 

Learn more about becoming a volunteer advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter.