New Jersey Hall of Fame Announces Lineup for Induction Ceremony

Ceremony Will Also Honor September 11 First Responders Who Have Sickened and Passed Away as 2021 Unsung Heroes

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Oct 06, 2021, 11:00 ET

NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The virtual red carpet is ready to welcome some of New Jersey's best and brightest!

Danny DeVito is set to host the 13^th annual New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, with special appearances by President George W. Bush, Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Snyder-Murphy, Chelsea Handler, Patti LaBelle, Quincy Jones, Keith Richards, Robin Roberts, Judith Light, Al Leiter, Nona Hendryx, and many more guest surprises!

The one-hour ceremony will premiere at 7 p.m. Saturday, October 16 on My9NJ and on the Hall of Fame's YouTube channel and Facebook page, with re-airings on Sunday, October 17, Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24. It will also air on NJ PBS at 8 p.m. October 20, as well as on October 22 and October 23.

This year's class showcases the depth and variety of talent of the Garden State, ranging from founding father Alexander Hamilton to Baseball Hall of Famer Monte Irvin. Other inductees include singer Mary Chapin Carpenter, dynamic businesswoman Louise Scott, famed photographer Dorothea Lange, and the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

The ceremony will also pay tribute to the late Sarah Dash, who passed away on September 20, 2021 before she was to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.

And as the nation marked 20 years since the devastating September 11 attacks, the Hall of Fame is proud to announce that this year's Unsung Heroes are the thousands of first responders who have suffered complications and passed away due to their service.

The New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2021 is:

Arts & Letters
Dorothea Lange*, Hoboken, documentary photographer
Anne Morrow Lindbergh*, Englewood, author and aviator

Performing Arts
George Benson, Englewood, jazz guitarist, singer, and songwriter
Sarah Dash*, Trenton, co-founder of Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles
Mary Chapin Carpenter**, Princeton, country music singer

Enterprise
Madeline McWhinney Dale*, Middletown, first female officer/vice-president of the Federal Reserve Bank
Madame Louise Scott*, Newark, founder of Scott School of Beauty Culture & chain of beauty salons
Paul Volcker*,Teaneck, 12th Chair of the Federal Reserve
Sara Spencer Washington*, Atlantic City, founder of Apex News and Hair Company

Sports
Val Ackerman, Pennington, first president of the Women's National Basketball Association
Monte Irvin*, Orange, left and right fielder in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball who played with the Newark Eagles, New York Giants and Chicago Cubs

Public Service
Margaret Bancroft*, Haddonfield, founder of Bancroft, nonprofit serving individuals with disabilities
Alexander Hamilton*, Elizabeth, founding father and first secretary of the treasury
David Mixner, Elmer, political activist and author
William Paterson*, South Branch, signer of the U.S. Constitution, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and 2nd Governor of New Jersey
Gustave F. Perna, Rockaway, U.S. Army four-star general/COO of the federal COVID-19 response
Antonin Scalia*, Trenton, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1986 until his death in 2016

*Being honored posthumously.

**Previous inductee, but being formally inducted this year.

The 17 inductees in the five categories were chosen out of 50 nominees after a public vote during the month of May.

ABOUT THE NJHOF: Because everyone needs a hero, the New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) honors citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society, the State of New Jersey and the world beyond. Since 2008, the NJHOF has hosted 12 ceremonies for more than 180 notable individuals and groups in recognition of their induction into the Hall of Fame. The NJHOF endeavors to present school children with significant and impactful role models to show that they can, and should, strive for excellence. The NJHOF is thankful for the support of its many sponsors, like Hackensack Meridian Health, without which none of our endeavors would be possible. For more information, go to www.njhalloffame.org.

CONTACT: Norris Clark, [email protected], (609) 425 – 1325

SOURCE New Jersey Hall of Fame