SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and First Lady Anne Gust Brown, in partnership with the California Museum, today announced the 11th class of the California Hall of Fame. The new inductees will join 104 inspirational Californians previously inducted for embodying the state's spirit of innovation.
The inductees of the California Hall of Fame 11th class are: entertainer Lucille Ball; bioscientist Susan Desmond-Hellmann; artist and activist Mabel McKay; atmospheric chemist Mario J. Molina; quarterback Jim Plunkett; poet Gary Snyder; filmmaker Steven Spielberg; musician Michael Tilson Thomas and vintner Warren Winiarski.
"These Californians represent the dynamic spirit and imagination that is the hallmark of the Golden State," said Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. "Their exceptional skill and craft enrich our culture and inspire us all."
California Hall of Fame inductees are selected by the Governor and First Lady for achievements and contributions in areas such as science, philanthropy, sports, business, entertainment, the arts, literature, technology, activism and politics.
Inductees and family members of posthumous inductees will be presented with "Spirit of California" medals by the Governor and First Lady in an official state ceremony held at the California Museum on Tues., Dec. 5 at 7:00 p.m. In addition, their lives and legacies will be commemorated in an all-new artifact exhibition opening at 10:00 a.m. on Wed., Dec. 6 at the California Museum.
"We thank the Governor and First Lady for selecting another extraordinary group of Californians," said Richard Costigan III, California Museum Board of Trustees Chair. "We are also grateful to lead sponsors Frontier Communications and Visit California for supporting the 11th Annual California Hall of Fame."
"The inductees embody California's innovative spirit, diversity and culture of possibility," said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. "These trailblazing pioneers bring the California dream to life and inspire people from all over the world."
Members of the public are invited to watch 11th Annual California Hall of Fame red carpet arrivals on Tues., Dec. 5 at 6:00 p.m. at http://www.facebook.com/californiamuseum, followed by the induction ceremony at 7:00 p.m. at http://www.californiamuseum.org/webcast.
