First organized in 2005, the Raleigh Hall of Fame each October holds an induction ceremony for individuals and organizations nominated by members of the Raleigh public.
This year’s ceremony is set for October 3 at 6 p.m., but a full list of the proposed inductees was announced this week at City Council. We’ve got the full list below. Enjoy!
Individual Nominees
Dr. Bill D. Brittain
Thousands of individuals throughout Raleigh and the Carolinas have been touched by Dr. Bill D. Brittain’s compassion and caring for displaced youth, adults and families. In 1976 out of an office in Raleigh’s Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bill began what would become Lutheran Family Services of the Carolinas. When he retired in 2001, Lutheran Family Services was the largest non-profit dedicated to youth and family services in the state with a staff of 450, six counseling centers, 400 foster homes and 50 group homes for adults and children with special needs.
Gov. J. Melville Broughton
The only Raleigh native to be elected governor of the state, Gov. J. Melville Broughton was an instrumental civic and political leader. Several measures were enacted under him as governor which the City of Raleigh and the state still benefit from today. Under his leadership (1941-1945), the state was the first in the country to appropriate funds for a symphony – the North Carolina Symphony. His administration also supported funding for the North Carolina Museum of Art and public libraries. It was also during his time in office that a retirement plan for state employees and teachers was created.
Jill Staton Bullard
Jill Staton Bullard, as co-founder of the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (IFFS), has been a champion for ending hunger in Raleigh and surrounding counties for over 25 years. Throughout the years, Jill has worked to provide not just fresh and nutritious food but the tools to end food insecurities through education. IFFS provides education programs on careers in food service, urban gardening and nutritious meal preparation to further reduce hunger. Through her never-ending desire to erase hunger in our community, hard work and collaboration with others, IFFS is a leader and example for others across the country in addressing food insecurity.
Mary Josephine Conrad Cresimore
For close to fifty years, Mary Josephine Conrad Cresimore (Jo) has contributed to the City of Raleigh as a volunteer, leader and fundraiser for many local organizations. A supporter of the arts and humanities, Jo with others convinced the Raleigh City Council to establish the Raleigh Arts Commission (the first such commission in the state) dedicated to enhancing the city through art. Her commitment to the arts and humanities led to an appointment by President Ronald Reagan to the National Council on the Humanities bringing national recognition to the City of Oaks.
Anne McLaurin
In 1976, Anne McLaurin accepted a position with Wake Health Services as a physician. This would begin her many years of service to the City of Raleigh not only as a professional but as a volunteer and promoter for healthcare, children, affordable housing and community involvement. For the past forty years, Anne McLaurin has strived to make Raleigh a better place whether it was in the public eye as a Wake County School Board member, a doctor or quietly as a friend to someone in need.
Dr. J. C. Raulston
Dr. J. C. Raulston encouraged his students, colleagues and friends to “plan and plant for a better world.” He did just that himself when he founded an arboretum in 1976 as a faculty member of NC State University’s Department of Horticulture Science. The arboretum, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is visited by over 100,000 people yearly and is a vital part of the Raleigh community.
Temple Sloan, Jr.
In 1961, O. Temple Sloan decided to relocate his business, General Parts Warehouse, to Raleigh from Sanford. With this move he would provide thousands of jobs to area residents for several decades. During this time he created CarQuest Auto Parts, an auto parts supplier acquired by Advance Auto Parts, Inc. in 2014, and co-founded Highwoods Property where he serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Temple has also supported the youth and families of Raleigh through his involvement with the Capital Area YMCA and area Boy Scouts.
Cliffornia Wimberley
An educator and activist, Cliffornia Wimberley helped shape the current Wake County Public School System into the successful and nationally recognized system it is today through her leadership and dedication to education and the community. She was vital to the success of integrating the city schools, merging the city and county systems and bringing the magnet program to Wake County. As a member of the national organization, Panel of American Women, she travelled across the country to help ease tensions due to cultural differences.
Organizations
Boys and Girls Clubs
Fifty years ago in downtown Raleigh, a group of citizens gathered to incorporate the Boys Club of Wake County, Inc. From the first day of operation, the club welcomed all boys regardless of race and has provided a safe, positive and inclusive place for children ages six to 18 to go to after school and during school breaks. In 1988 the club opened a center for girls, becoming the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wake County. Today, the clubs welcome 5,000 boys and girls annually to its five centers in Raleigh and one each in Zebulon and Wake Forest.
Triangle Family Services, Inc.
For over seventy-seven years, Triangle Family Services (TFS) has been fulfilling its mission, “Building a stronger community by strengthening the family.” TFS has impacted thousands since 1937 throughout the Raleigh community by providing family safety, financial stability and mental health services. In 2014, over five thousand individuals and families benefited from TFS. By continuing to provide such services regardless of economic challenges, TFS has contributed to the health and wellbeing of Raleigh.
Centennial
Dr. Calvin Jones 1775-1846
Calvin Jones was the first physician in the state to inoculate people against smallpox. He established the North Carolina Medical Society and was highly regarded for his work in ophthalmology. Beyond his medical career, he provided leadership in both the political and military arena, serving as Raleigh’s mayor in 1803 and as a representative in the House of Commons in 1807. As the state’s chief military officer during the War of 1812, he led the efforts that kept the British war fleet from invading the North Carolina coast.
