Museum Honors Hall of Fame’s 19th Class
Apr 08, 2026 10:27AM ● By George H. Young, photos by George H. Young
Gov. Gavin Newsom, far right, poses with his family, including his wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and their two daughters and two sons, at the red-carpet event for the California Hall of Fame 19th Class induction ceremony. Photo by George H. Young
Museum Honors Hall of Fame’s 19th Class [7 Images]
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SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Founded in 2006, the California Hall of Fame is the California Museum’s signature annual program. Every year, the governor and first partner select inductees to honor for outstanding achievement in the arts, business and labor, entertainment, food and wine, literature, music, public service, science and sports.
The program recognizes the leaders and pioneers in California whose dreams and deeds have reached beyond state borders, positively impacting the world.
The museum honored members of its 18th and 19th classes at a red-carpet event and induction ceremony on Thursday, March 19. The 18th Class included posthumous inductees, honored after death, and marked the first time in California Hall of Fame history that the list of inductees was composed entirely of women.
As introduced by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the 18th Class inductees honored were: Julia Child, the world-renowned French chef; Ina Coolbrith, California’s first poet laureate; Vicki Manalo Draves, the first Asian-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal; Mitsuye Endo, a Sacramento native whose family was placed in a Japanese internment camp and later challenged the incarceration in court, helping to secure the right of Japanese Americans to return home; Dian Fossey, author of “Gorillas in the Mist”; Alice Piper, a Native American pioneer; and Tina Turner, a legendary rock icon.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom then introduced the 19th Class. Her first introduction was of legendary legislator John L. Burton, represented by his daughter, Komiko Burton.
The family of former state legislator John L. Burton, an inductee into the California Hall of Fame 19th Class, is pictured at the red-carpet event prior to the March 19 induction ceremony at the California Museum.
Burton dove into local politics after earning his law degree at San Francisco University. He served in the California State Assembly and went on to become Senate president pro tempore, moving on to the U.S. Congress.
Burton was a champion for the poor, the overlooked and the underserved. He advocated for housing and education for former foster youths and expanded their opportunities for care.
Komiko Burton felt honored to speak for her dad, who had passed only six months ago. She spoke about how proud she and her family were of being Northern Californians. Komiko Burton also shared stories about how Burton had befriended and worked closely with many California governors, especially Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gavin Newsom.
The first partner then honored Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans.
Evans, who grew up in Fullerton, won three gold medals at the Seoul Summer Olympics at age 16, including a record for the 400-meter freestyle. In 1992, Evans made Olympic history again by becoming the first woman to defend her 800-meter freestyle title. She is currently the chief athlete officer of the 2028 Summer Olympics, preparing young American athletes for the return of the games to California.
Evans, who attended the event, spoke during the ceremony and said how amazed she was to be recognized among fellow inductees celebrating our state. Evans remarked that she attended the University of Southern California, where she trained by swimming and running and often passed the colosseum, where the Olympic Games are traditionally held.
Drawing on that connection, Evans noted the significance of bringing the games back for the third time.
“There is no better place for the Olympic Games than the state of California,” Evans said.
Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans is pictured with her family at the red-carpet event before being honored at the California Hall of Fame 19th Class ceremony on March 19.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom then introduced inductee Terry McMillan, an inspirational author.
McMillan moved from Michigan to Los Angeles, where she attended high school and Los Angeles City College. She began her writing at Greer and later transferred to UC Berkeley. A regular contributor to The Daily Californian, the school newspaper, she was encouraged to “tell the truth” and tell stories that African American readers could relate to.
McMillan’s third novel, “Waiting to Exhale,” remained on the New York Times bestseller list for many months and contributed to a shift away from the stereotypes of black women professionals. That novel, and her next book, “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” were made into popular films, earning Grammys, MTV Movie Awards and popular acclaim.
The first partner then honored Riane Eisler, a groundbreaking systems scientist, cultural historian and futurist.
Eisler and her parents escaped Nazi tyranny in 1939, losing many members of her extended family during the Holocaust. She has made a life-long commitment to understanding the roots of violence and inequity.
Eisler’s work has offered new perspectives and practical tools for building a more equitable gender balance and sustainable society. She has addressed the United Nations and inspired countless leaders worldwide.
At the age of 94 (almost 95), Eisler addressed the audience and remarked that surviving the Nazis and seeing her mother’s courage and ingenuity is what saved their lives, as well as inspired her. She said that the central question of her life’s work is whether humanity is either innately violent and selfish or capable of much better. She has pushed for constructive partnerships between groups and individuals, countries and earth.
Eisler added that she sees California as a “wonderful place where bold ideas can take root and grow.”
Jennifer Siebel Newsom next introduced nine-time Olympic gold medal winner Carl Lewis.
Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis poses at the California Hall of Fame 19th Class red-carpet event before being honored as an inductee at the ceremony.
Trained at an early age by his parents, two track and field stars, Lewis grew up under their keen professional tutelage, winning NCAA championship titles. In 1984, he debuted at the Los Angeles Olympics, winning the long jump, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and the 4 by 100-meter relay. Lewis ended up winning nine Olympic gold medals across four Olympic Games, along with eight world championship titles and multiple world records.
Lewis spoke at the ceremony of growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, watching his parents work actively in the Civil Rights movement. He said that his mother knew both Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King.
After moving to California at age 14, Lewis noted how California provided so many opportunities for him to grow as an athlete.
“California will always be a very, very special part of my life; the most important times of life happened in this state… so this is such an honor,” Lewis said.
The First Partner next introduced Nobu Matsuhisa, known around the world as Chef Nobu.
Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, a 19th Class California Hall of Fame inductee, is pictured on the red carpet at the California Museum’s annual program honoring state pioneers and influential individuals.
Chef Nobu’s culinary journey began in Tokyo, Japan, then continued to Peru, Argentina, back to Japan, Alaska, and finally Los Angeles. It was there that he developed the unique culinary styles known as Nobu style, blending elements from all the places he worked to gather inspiration. He formed a lasting partnership with actor and activist Robert De Niro and currently has 69 restaurants and locations across five continents.
Among other awards, Nobu has won Michelin stars, James Beard honors and international awards from Japan to Peru.
Nobu expressed that he was deeply honored to be inducted into the California Hall of Fame. He noted that he came to California from Japan over 40 years ago, and he found people who believed in him, opportunities and a place to call home.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom then introduced Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, America’s first all-women mariachi ensemble.
Mariachi Reyna made history as the first all-woman mariachi group signed to a major record label. It was nominated for both Grammy and Latin Grammys, and has expanded what excellence in the genre looks and sounds like.
Mariachi Reyna’s work has reached a vast audience from school classrooms to Disney soundtracks to the Smithsonian. The first partner honored the group for helping to redefine who leads and who belongs, especially in the arts.
Mariachi Reyna thanked the governor and first partner for the amazing recognition. They also spoke about what an honor it was to be there, representing women all around the world, especially women in mariachi music. They were proud to be representing their culture and Los Angeles, where the dream and the group originated.
Pictured at the California Hall of Fame red-carpet event is the all-woman mariachi ensemble Mariachi Reyna, based in Los Angeles, inducted into the 19th Class and honored at the California Museum ceremony held March 19.
The first partner then introduced Jamie Lee Curtis, Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian. Born in Los Angeles to Hollywood legends Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, she attended the University of the Pacific in Stockton (following in her mother’s footsteps) and has become a role model for generations.
Curtis has been honored with an Academy Award, a SAG Award, a British Academy Film Award (BAFTA), an Emmy and multiple Golden Globe nominations. She’s starred in and been forever memorable in films ranging from horror films including “Halloween” to comedies like “A Fish Called Wanda” to action dramas such as “True Lies.”
Beyond her influence on the screen, Curtis has been an advocate and philanthropist who created the charitable organization My Hand Is Yours that has raised more than $2,000,000 to benefit children’s hospitals in Los Angeles. She’s also a New York Times best-selling children’s author with 13 titles.
Curtis spoke emotionally about the California Dream during the induction ceremony, noting how this state gave both her parents and her the opportunity to change their lives and change the world with their art.
“I’m a Cali girl. I love California. I love my family. I love the life that we get. I love the diversity of our state. I love the creativity of our state,” Curtis said.
California native and Hollywood actor Jamie Lee Curtis is pictured at the California Hall of Fame 19th Class red carpet event ahead of the ceremony, where she was honored as an inductee. Photo by George H. Young
She thanked the governor and first partner for “bringing me home” and expressed how deeply she was moved by this honor.
Gov. Gavin Newsom finally introduced the final inductee, former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who could not attend the ceremony.
Schwarzenegger was the 38th governor of California and a legendary Hollywood icon. Newsom described Schwarzenegger as a “scrawny little kid who came to America with $20 in his pocket, an interesting accent and big dreams.”
“The 38th governor of the state of California is the personification of so many respects, what is defined as California and immigration and entrepreneurialism, five decades of excellence, singular in every way, shape or form. Arnold Schwarzenegger is now one of a million,” Newsom said.
“He pursued his dream to be the ‘best of the best’ body builder that later led to an acting career, becoming the highest-paid actor in the world. After success as an entrepreneur, he then surprised the skeptics by running for and winning the election as governor of California. It was under his leadership that AB32 was passed, allowing California to set its own environmental standards. His life is a ‘remarkable career of excellence, singular in every respect,’” the governor added.
Schwarzenegger greeted the induction ceremony audience via a prerecorded segment. He thanked Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom for inducting him into the California Hall of Fame.
The California Hall of Fame exhibit will showcase the 19th Class inductees with a curated selection of personal artifacts, currently on display at the California Museum, 1020 O St.
