Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame Women Inductees Facts for Kids

The Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame is a special group that honors people who have done amazing things for Rhode Island. It's a non-profit organization run by volunteers. They celebrate individuals who have brought fame, importance, or great contributions to the history and culture of the state.

Catharine R. Williams around 1835

Matilda Sissieretta Jones, 1897

Aileen Riggin, 1920 at age 14, when she won an Olympic Gold Medal

How It Started
Who Can Be Inducted?
Notable Women Inductees
Images for kids
See also

How It Started

The Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame began in 1965. It was created to recognize the important work of people from Rhode Island. Since 2013, the organization has worked closely with the Heritage Harbor Museum. While they honor all citizens, they also keep a special list of women who have been inducted.

Who Can Be Inducted?

To be chosen for the Hall of Fame, a person must have made big contributions to Rhode Island's history or heritage. This includes people who were born in the state. It also includes those who lived in Rhode Island when they became famous. Finally, people who have made Rhode Island their permanent home can also be considered.

Notable Women Inductees

The Hall of Fame adds new members every year. These members include people from long ago and those from more recent times. Here are some of the amazing women who have been honored:

Pioneers and Leaders

Ann Smith Franklin (inducted 1998): She was the first woman to edit a newspaper in the American colonies.
Mary Dyer (inducted 1997): A brave Quaker who helped found Portsmouth.
Anne Hutchinson (inducted 1997): She helped establish the settlement of Portsmouth in what became Rhode Island.
Ida Lewis (inducted 2005): She was the first woman to work in the U.S. Lighthouse Service.
Florence K. Murray (inducted 1980): She was the first woman state senator, judge, and member of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.
Arlene Violet (inducted 1996): She became the first woman attorney general in the entire United States.
Princess Red Wing (inducted 1978): A member of the Narragansett tribe who helped create their tribal rules and designed their tribal seal.

Educators and Founders

Prudence Crandall (inducted 2001): She founded a school that became the first integrated classroom in the United States.
Sarah Elizabeth Doyle (inducted 2005): She helped start the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). She also helped establish education for women at Brown University.
Gertrude I. Johnson (inducted 2015) and Mary T. Wales (inducted 2015): These two women founded Johnson & Wales University.
Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf (inducted 1996): She was a founder and director of the Rhode Island School of Design.
Mary C. Wheeler (inducted 2012): An artist who founded Providence's Wheeler School.
Katharine Gibbs (inducted 1983): She founded Gibbs College.

Social Reformers and Activists

Elizabeth Buffum Chace (inducted 2002): A strong supporter of ending slavery and women's right to vote. She was the first woman honored with a statue at the Rhode Island State House.
Paulina Kellogg Wright Davis (inducted 2003): She helped start the New England Woman Suffrage Association.
Julia Ward Howe (inducted 2003): She worked to end slavery and wrote the famous song "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".
Christiana Carteaux Bannister (inducted 2003): She was an abolitionist, working to end slavery, and also a successful business owner.
Sara MacCormack Algeo (inducted 2020): She was a suffragist, fighting for women's right to vote, and an educator.
Roberta J. Dunbar (inducted 2020): An African American clubwoman and peace activist.
Fanny Purdy Palmer (inducted 2020): An author, poet, and social activist.
Anna Garlin Spencer (inducted 2007): She was president of the Rhode Island Equal Suffrage Association.

Artists and Performers

Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones (inducted 1977): An internationally famous singer known for her beautiful soprano voice.
Ruth Buzzi (inducted 1971): A well-known American comedian and actress.
Ruth Hussey (inducted 1967): An actress who was nominated for an Academy Award.
Eileen Farrell (inducted 1967): A famous American soprano singer.
Antoinette Downing (inducted 1978): A preservationist who worked to protect historic buildings in Rhode Island.
Catharine R. Williams (inducted 2002): A poet and writer from the 19th century.

Athletes

Aileen Riggin (inducted 2004): She won a gold medal in swimming at the 1920 Summer Olympics.
Albina Osipowich (inducted 1968): She won a gold medal in swimming at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games.
Helen Johns (inducted 2004): She won a gold medal in swimming at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.
Janet Moreau (inducted 1968): She won a gold medal in the 4 x 100 meters relay at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games.
Harriet Metcalf (inducted 2004): She won a gold medal in women's eight rowing at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Lynne Jewell (inducted 2004): She won a gold medal in yachting at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Sara DeCosta-Hayes (inducted 2004): A two-time Olympic ice hockey medalist, winning gold in 1998 and silver in 2002.
Katie King-Crowley (inducted 2004): A three-time Winter Olympic ice hockey medalist.
Glenna Collett-Vare (inducted 1966): A champion golfer who was very successful in the 1920s.
JoAnne Carner (inducted 1969): A five-time national women's amateur golf champion.
Lizzie Murphy (inducted 1994): The first woman baseball player to play against major league players.
Wilma Briggs (inducted 2013): A player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She led the league in home runs in 1953.
Martha McSally (inducted 2013): The first American woman to fly in combat. She was also the first woman to lead a U.S. Air Force fighter squadron.
Alice A. Sullivan (inducted 2005): A women's sports activist and educator. She successfully pushed for girls' sports programs in Rhode Island schools.