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Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame Women Inductees facts for kids

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Catharine R. Williams ca. 1835
Aileen Riggin, 1920 at age 14, when she won an Olympic Gold Medal

The Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame is a non-profit, volunteer organization that recognizes those who have brought credit, prominence, or contributions to the heritage or history of Rhode Island.

History

The organization was founded and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1965 to recognize the contributions of citizens of the state of Rhode Island. Since 2013, it has had a partnership with the Heritage Harbor Museum. Though the organization recognizes the contributions of any citizen, a separate listing of women inductees is maintained.

Criteria

The eligibility criteria for membership requires that significant contributions to the history or heritage of Rhode Island and is open to those born in the state, those who are residents when their notability occurred, and those who have permanent homes in Rhode Island.

Inductees

The hall inducts new members annually and includes both contemporary and historical Rhode Islanders.

Name Image Birth–Death Year Area of achievement Ref(s)
Palmer, Fanny PurdyFanny Purdy Palmer FANNY PURDY PALMER A woman of the century (page 565 crop).jpg (1839– 1923) 2020 Author, poet, social activist
Wyman, Lillie Buffum ChaceLillie Buffum Chace Wyman (1847– 1929) 2020 Social reformer, poet
Reilly, Sister MarySister Mary Reilly (1924– ) 2019 Missionary who helped establish McAuley House, Dorcas Place, and Sophia Academy
Weaver, Rose E.Rose E. Weaver 2019 Social justice reformer, actress, singer, producer and director
Wood, PatricePatrice Wood 2018 Television journalism
Eddy, Sarah J.Sarah J. Eddy Mrs Sarah Jane Eddy, Bristol Ferry, R.I.jpg (1851-1945) 2017 Philanthropist,humanitarian, painter and sculptor, photographer, suffragette and author
Ferron, Marie RodeMarie Rode Ferron (1902-1936) 2017 Religious piety
Metcalf, Louisa SharpeLouisa Sharpe Metcalf (1866-1959) 2017 Philanthropist
Maier, PaulinePauline Maier GWBookPrize.Maier.jpg (1938-2013) 2016 Historian
Recupero, Patricia R.Patricia R. Recupero (1938-2013) 2016 Mental health advocate
Vohr, Betty R.Betty R. Vohr 2016 Medical Director of Women & Infants Hospital's Neonatal Follow-Up Program
Johnson, Gertrude I.Gertrude I. Johnson (1876-1961) 2015 Founder of Johnson & Wales University
Wales, Mary T.Mary T. Wales (1874-1952) 2015 Founder of Johnson & Wales University
McKenna, Margaret A.Margaret A. McKenna (1945–) 2015 Served as White House Deputy Counsel, Deputy Undersecretary in the United States Department of Education, president of Lesley University and president of the WalMart Foundation
Drexel, Noreen StonorNoreen Stonor Drexel (1922–2012) 2015 health care and education philanthropist
Collette, Catherine O'ReillyCatherine O'Reilly Collette (ca. 1951–) 2014 Women's rights advocate and national organizer on women's issues
O’Neill, Isabelle AhearnIsabelle Ahearn O’Neill (1880–1975) 2014 Silent-film actress, suffragette, first woman legislator
Rockefeller, Abby AldrichAbby Aldrich Rockefeller (1874–1948) 2014 Philanthropist, who pushed for the creation of the Museum of Modern Art in New York
Briggs, WilmaWilma Briggs (1930–) 2013 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player who led the league in home runs during the 1953 season and ranks second in the all-time home runs list
Burrill, Billie AnnBillie Ann Burrill (1921–2010) 2013 Co-founder and a director of the Rhode Island College Dance Company and master swimmer, setting 800-meter freestyle and the 1500-meter long course world records in her age category
McSally, MarthaMartha McSally Martha McSally official congressional photo 114th congress.jpg (1966–) 2013 First American woman to fly in combat and was also the first woman to command a USAF fighter squadron
Tootell, Lucy RawlingsLucy Rawlings Tootell (1911–2010) 2013 teacher and historic preservationist
Adams, KarenKaren Adams (1955–) 2012 Journalist, television anchor and newscaster
Slocum, EileenEileen Slocum (1915–2008) 2012 Rhode Island Republican national committeewoman from 1992–2008
Wheeler, Mary C.Mary C. Wheeler Mary Colman Wheeler.jpg (1846–1920) 2012 artist and founder of Providence's Wheeler School
Stuart, JaneJane Stuart (1812–1888) 2011 first woman portraitist of Newport
Connell, Kathleen S.Kathleen S. Connell (1937–) 2010 Politician, who served at the local and state levels and was Secretary of State of Rhode Island between 1987 and 1993
Farmer, SusanSusan Farmer (1942–2013) 2010 First woman in Rhode Island to hold a statewide office, when elected as Secretary of State
Hazard, CarolineCaroline Hazard (1856–1945) 2010 Fifth President of Wellesley College and credited with establishing an endowment for enduring financial stability
Peck, Annie SmithAnnie Smith Peck Annie Smith Peck.jpg (1850–1935) 2009 mountaineer and adventurer who scaled Mount Huascaran in Peru
Elliott, Maud HoweMaud Howe Elliott (1854–1948) 2008 American writer, noted winning the Pulitzer prize in collaboration with her sister for their mother's biography The Life of Julia Ward Howe
Vogel, Marjorie JoyMarjorie Joy Vogel (1930–2007) 2008 artist and illustrator who created the largest body of Rhode Island-themed illustration work
Spencer, Anna GarlinAnna Garlin Spencer (1851–1931) 2007 president of the Rhode Island Equal Suffrage Association
Woolley, Mary EmmaMary Emma Woolley Mary Emma Woolley.jpg (1863–1947) 2007 one of America's youngest college presidents
Antone, M. ThereseM. Therese Antone 2006 President of Salve Regina University
Gewirtz, NancyNancy Gewirtz (1945–2004) 2006 Co-founder of The Poverty Institute and the Rhode Island Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Poverty
Roberts, Barbara H.Barbara H. Roberts (1944–) 2006 First woman Gorlin Cardiology Fellow at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and the first woman to practice adult cardiology in Rhode Island
Doyle, Sarah ElizabethSarah Elizabeth Doyle Sarah Doyle by Cecilia Beaux.jpg (1830–1922)) 2005 Founder of the Rhode Island School of Design and establishing women's education at Brown University
Garnett, Norma AnnNorma Ann Garnett (1930–2005) 2005 Recognized as Teacher of the Year by Rhode Island and Maine, 1991 White House Distinguished Teacher Award recipient
Lewis, IdawallyIdawally Lewis

IdaLewis.jpg

(1842–1911) 2005 First woman to serve in the U.S. Lighthouse Service
Sullivan, Alice A.Alice A. Sullivan (1925–2003) 2005 Women's sport activist and educator, successfully lobbied for the Rhode Island Interscholastic League's sports program to include girls
DeCosta-Hayes, SaraSara DeCosta-Hayes (1977–) 2004 Two-time Olympic ice hockey medalist: 1998 Nagano gold and 2002 Salt Lake City silver
Jewell, LynneLynne Jewell (1959–) 2004 1988 Seoul Olympic gold medalist in the women's 470 Class yachting
Johns, HelenHelen Johns (1914–2014) 2004 1932 Los Angeles Olympic gold medalist in the women's 400-meter freestyle swim
King-Crowley, KatieKatie King-Crowley (1975–) 2004 Three time Winter Olympic ice hockey medalist
McDougall, Frances WhippleFrances Whipple McDougall (1805–1878) 2004 19th-century poet, abolitionist, botanist, and suffragette
Metcalf, HarrietHarriet Metcalf (1958–) 2004 1984 Los Angeles Olympics women's eight rowing gold medalist
Riggin, AileenAileen Riggin Aileen Riggin 1920.jpg (1906–2002) 2004 1920 Summer Olympics swimming gold medalist
Sapinsley, LilaLila Sapinsley (1922–2014) 2004 State Senator and Senate minority leader
Whitman, Sarah HelenSarah Helen Whitman Sarah Helen Whitman by John Nelson Arnold.jpg (1803–1878) 2004 19th-century poet, essayist, and Spiritualist
Bannister, Christiana CarteauxChristiana Carteaux Bannister Christiana Carteaux Bannister.jpg (1822–1903) 2003 Abolitionist and entrepreneur
Davis, Paulina Kellogg WrightPaulina Kellogg Wright Davis Paulina Kellogg Wright Davis.jpg (1813–1876) 2003 Co-founder of the New England Woman Suffrage Association
Howe, Julia WardJulia Ward Howe Julia Ward Howe- History of Woman Suffrage volume 2 page 793.jpg (1819–1910) 2003 Abolitionist and author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"
Lederberg, Victoria S.Victoria S. Lederberg (1937–2002) 2003 State Senator and state Supreme Court judge
Chace, Elizabeth BuffumElizabeth Buffum Chace (1806–1899) 2002 Abolitionist and suffragette, the first woman to be memorialized with a statue in the Rhode Island State House
Kelley, Leona McElroyLeona McElroy Kelley (1919–2000) 2002 Teacher and state House Representative
Warde, Mother FrancesMother Frances Warde (1810–1884) 2002 Founder of the Sisters of Mercy (R.S.M.) in America
Williams, Catharine R.Catharine R. Williams Catherine R Williams ca1835 bySusannahPaine RhodeIslandHistoricalSociety.png (1787–1872) 2002 19th-century poet and writer
Crandall, PrudencePrudence Crandall Appletons' Crandall Prudence.jpg (1803–1890) 2001 Founder of a school that became the first integrated classroom in the United States
Duke, DorisDoris Duke James H. R. and Doris Cromwell.jpg (1912–1993) 2001 Philanthropist, preservationist and founders of the Newport Restoration Foundation
Sharpe, Mary ElizabethMary Elizabeth Sharpe (1885–1985) 2001 Amateur landscape architect, who spearheaded landscape design at Brown University, the Japanese Gardens at Roger Williams Park, and the renovation of India Point Park.
Ware, HarrietHarriet Ware (1799–1847) 2001 Teacher and founder of a children's aid society called the Children's Friend Society
Abels, Doris HollowayDoris Holloway Abels (1925–1997) 2000 Ed Sullivan dancer with the Holloway Sisters, later mental health professional and professor at Brown University and Rhode Island College
Chace, Beatrice OenslagerBeatrice Oenslager Chace (1909–1992) 1999 Philanthropist, preservationist and historic home conservationist
Danforth, Helen MetcalfHelen Metcalf Danforth (1887–1984) 1998 Benefactor of the Rhode Island School of Design and president of the RISD Corporation, recipient of the first honorary degree awarded by the institution
Franklin, Ann SmithAnn Smith Franklin (1696–1763) 1998 First female newspaper editor of the American colonies
Goddard, Sarah UpdikeSarah Updike Goddard (1701–1770) 1998 Published Providence's first newspaper, The Providence Gazette
Dyer, MaryMary Dyer MaryDyerByHowardPyle.jpg (1611–1660) 1997 Quaker martyr, one of the founders of Portsmouth
Hassenfeld, Sylvia K.Sylvia K. Hassenfeld (1920–2014) 1997 Jewish philanthropist, president of Providence Jewish Federation
Hutchinson, AnneAnne Hutchinson Anne Hutchinson statue.jpeg (1591–1643) 1997 Established the settlement of Portsmouth in what became the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Langdon-Kelly, MargaretMargaret Langdon-Kelly (1904–2001) 1997 Co-founder of Meeting Street School for special needs children
Spacagna, MariaMaria Spacagna 1997 First American-born opera singer to perform Madame Butterfly at La Scala
Bert, Helen A.Helen A. Bert (1922–2002) 1996 Director and developer of the Women's Athletics Program at Providence College
Hammett, Catherine TilleyCatherine Tilley Hammett (1902–1998) 1996 First Girl Scout of Newport and later served on the national staff of the Girl Scouts of the USA
Metcalf, Helen Adelia RoweHelen Adelia Rowe Metcalf (1830–1895) 1996 Founder and director of the Rhode Island School of Design
Violet, ArleneArlene Violet (1944–) 1996 First woman attorney general in the United States
Murphy, LizzieLizzie Murphy (fr) (1894–1964) 1994 First woman baseball player to play against major league players
Seabury, Barbara-JeanneBarbara-Jeanne Seabury (1927–2002) 1994 Child welfare advocate, author and the Director of Rhode Island Hospital's Child Life Department
Mulvey, Mary C.Mary C. Mulvey (1909–) 1993 Geriatrics, president National Senior Citizens Education and Research Center
Potter, Nancy A. J.Nancy A. J. Potter (1926–) 1992 Short story writer and professor, recipient of University of Rhode Island President's Award for Excellence in Teaching
Brennan, Mary P.Mary P. Brennan (1933–1996) 1992 Pioneer in the travel and tourism industry serving on state and national tourism advisory committees; first woman in the country to serve as a station manager in the airline industry
Brayton, Gladys WilliamsGladys Williams Brayton (1890–1990) 1991 Historian and author
Bethune, AdeAde Bethune (1914–2002) 1990 Catholic liturgical artist and the artistic director of the Terra Sancta Guild
Avarista, Marion F.Marion F. Avarista 1988 Founder of the Traveler's Aid Runaway Youth Project
Bernard, Sister MarySister Mary Bernard 1987 Teacher, Principle, and Head of the Guidance Department at St. Mary's Academy
Murphy, Sister EileenSister Eileen Murphy (1935–1983) 1987 Founder of the Amos House homeless shelter of Providence
McMahon, Eleanor M.Eleanor M. McMahon (1929–2002) 1986 First Commissioner of Higher Education
Wiley, Olive F.Olive F. Wiley 1985 African American Day Care founder and Mother of the Year
Gibbs, KatharineKatharine Gibbs (1863–1934) 1983 Founder of Gibbs College
Slater, EleanorEleanor Slater (1909–2006) 1982 State Representative, State Senator and National Democratic Committeewoman
Warren, Katherine U.Katherine U. Warren (1897–1976) 1981 Conservationist, preservationist and founder of the Preservation Society of Newport
Tucker, AnnaAnna Tucker (1919–2012) 1981 First Director for the R.I. Department of Elderly Affairs
Murray, Florence K.Florence K. Murray (1916–2004) 1980 First woman state senator, the first woman judge and the first female member of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
Coutu, Diane L.Diane L. Coutu (1946–) 1980 Journalist and later editor of the Harvard Business Review
Downing, Antoinette F.Antoinette F. Downing (1904–2001) 1978 Preservationist and Chair of the Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission and the Providence Historic District Commission
Knight, Frances G.Frances G. Knight (1905–1999) 1978 Director of the U.S. Passport Office
Red Wing, PrincessPrincess Red Wing (1896–1987) 1978 Narragansett tribe member, assisted in drafting the tribal bylaws under the Indian Reorganization Act and designed the tribal seal
Hochberg, Gertrude MethGertrude Meth Hochberg (1911–2002) 1977 1964 Advertising Woman of the Year of the Advertising Federation of America, first woman vice president of Bryant College
Jones, Matilda SissierettaMatilda Sissieretta Jones Sissieretta Jones.jpg (1869–1933) 1977 Internationally renowned soprano
Robinson, CatherineCatherine Robinson 1975 Civil rights advocate, Assistant Director of the University of Rhode Island Extension Division Service
Ackroyd, Margaret F.Margaret F. Ackroyd (1908–1995) 1972 Chief of the Division of Women and Children and Commissioner of minimum wage for Rhode Island
Buzzi, RuthRuth Buzzi Ruth Buzzi.jpg (1936–) 1971 American comedian and actress
Silverman, IdaIda Silverman (1882–1973) 1971 Only woman to serve as vice president of the Zionist Organization of America and the American Jewish Congress
Madeira, JeanJean Madeira (1918–1972) Contralto diva of the Metropolitan Opera
Carner, JoAnneJoAnne Carner (1939–) 1969 Five-time national women's amateur golf champion and three-time Rhode Island golf champion
Levy, June RockwellJune Rockwell Levy (1886–1971) 1969 Philanthropist, who established with her husband the Burrillville Town Buildings Project
Thorp, Mary TuckerMary Tucker Thorp (1899–1974) 1969 First distinguished professor at Rhode Island College
Brennan, E. DorisE. Doris Brennan (1922–) 1968 Holder of twenty national and world swimming records in 1930s and 1940s; selected for 1940 Olympics which was cancelled due to World War
Deubel, PaulaPaula Deubel (1935–1993) 1968 1954 national collegiate shot put champion, 1956 Melbourne Olympic shot put competitor
Garnett-Wheeler, CaroleCarole Garnett-Wheeler 1968 1924 Paris Olympic Games swimming competitor, later Rhode Island Republican National Convention delegate
LaMore, ClaraClara LaMore (1926–) 1968 1948 London Olympic Games breaststroke competitor, 5 time national champion
Moreau, JanetJanet Moreau (1927–) 1968 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games gold medal 4 x 100 meters relay winner
Osipowich, AlbinaAlbina Osipowich (1911–1964) 1968 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games gold medal swimmer
Testa, Lois AnnLois Ann Testa (1935–) 1968 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games athlete
Farrell, EileenEileen Farrell (1920–2002) 1967 Noted American soprano
Hussey, RuthRuth Hussey Ruth Hussey 1945.JPG (1911–2005) 1967 Academy Award-nominated actress
Vare, Glenna CollettGlenna Collett Vare (1903–1989) 1966 Champion golfer who dominated the sport in the 1920s

See also

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