NEW: Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame Induction Tonight
Friday, April 19, 2013
The Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame will be honoring nine inductees in the Class of 2013 at a ceremony at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet this evening
The Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame was founded in March 1965 to honor the contributions of those whose efforts, in any line of endeavor, have added significantly to the heritage of the State of Rhode Island. Eligible membership may include those who are native born, those whose reputations have been made while residents of the state, those who have worked or studied in Rhode Island for a protracted period of time, and those have adopted Rhode Island as their permanent home.
This year's inductees include:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST* Wilma H. Briggs, of East Greenwich, longtime educator and All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player in the 1940s and early 1950s
* The late Billie Ann Burrill, of North Providence, Rhode Island College Professor, founder and director of the RIC Dance Company and Performing Arts Series, world class masters swimmer and world record-holder
* James V. Healey, of Cranston, recognized leader in the treatment and care of citizens with developmental disabilities and accomplished athlete
* Charles J. McDonald, of Bristol, founding chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Brown University, physician-in-chief of the Department of Dermatology at Rhode Island Hospital, past president of the American Cancer Society
* Col. Martha E. McSally, originally of Warwick, winner of the Bronze Star and first American woman to fly a fighter plane in combat, crusader womens' rights in the armed services , professor of national security studies, accomplished singer, triathlete, and mountain climber
*The late Joseph R. Paolino Sr., Providence real estate mogul, historic preservationist and philanthropist, father of Providence Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr.
*Michael E. Renzi, originally of Providence, a master pianist and musical director and winner of seven Daytime Emmy Awards
* The late John M. Sapinsley, of Providence, President of Carol Cable Co., Professor of Economics at Rhode Island College and Brown University, husband of Hall of Fame Member and former State Senator Lila Sapinsley, the major benefactors of the Lila and John Sapinsley Hall of the Performing Arts at Rhode Island College
*The late Lucy Rawlings Tootell of South County, leading historian of Richmond, Charlestown, and South Kingstown, historic preservationist, state representative, educator, author, wife of Hall of Fame member Fred Tootell
