This May, California history turns a powerful new page.
The California Museum will open its newest California Hall of Fame exhibit on May 24, 2025, spotlighting the entirely female 18th Class of inductees — a landmark first in the institution’s history. This extraordinary group of women, inducted posthumously in December 2024 by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, represents a diverse tapestry of contributions that shaped not just California, but the entire world.
🎖️ Meet the 18th Class of Inductees:
• Julia Child – Culinary pioneer and television icon who brought French cooking into American homes
• Ina Donna Coolbrith – California’s first Poet Laureate and a groundbreaking literary figure
• Vicki Manalo Draves – The first Asian American woman to win Olympic gold
• Mitsuye Endo – A civil rights hero whose Supreme Court case helped dismantle Japanese internment
• Dian Fossey – Revered primatologist and conservationist
• Alice Piper – A lesser-known civil rights warrior whose courage changed California education
• Tina Turner – The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, whose story of resilience and reinvention is pure inspiration
🖼️ New Exhibit Debuts May 24, 2025
Opening at the California Museum in downtown Sacramento, the exhibit features personal artifacts, memorabilia, and tribute videos honoring each inductee. Collaboratively curated with representatives from each woman’s estate, the collection offers intimate insights into the passions, challenges, and triumphs that defined these iconic lives.
🌎 Why This Class Matters
For the first time ever, the California Hall of Fame inducts only women — a long-overdue spotlight on the often-overlooked contributions of women in shaping California’s history. Their work in literature, science, civil rights, music, and sport continues to ripple across generations.
🎥 Missed the Ceremony?
Watch the full virtual induction here.
