Carey Pena reflects on Oct 14 2023 Historymakers Celebration

Emcee for the 2023 AZ Historymakers Celebration Carey Pena writes, "For the better part of this year, we've been working on this documentary project, and I was so happy to stand at the famed Arizona Heritage Center for the big reveal!

Nine people were recognized as the 2023 Historymakers - people who have shaped and changed this state for the better.

I learned so much from spending time with each one of the Honorees. The main lesson I learned is never to give up! To the Historical League, thank you for trusting me to tell these stories in a real and authentic way."

Emcee, journalist and inspiration herself, Carey Pena guided the 2023 Arizona Historymakers evening October 14, introducing and welcoming each honoree to the stage. Along with her company, Inspired Media 360, Carey has spent the last year interviewing and filming the honorees for the video presentation, giving us an insight into their lives and dedication.

Independent Newsmedia reporter Caroline Yu wrote, “During the presentation of the Historymakers’ trophies, Pena showed interviews with each of the honorees talking more about their stories, detailing their individual contributions to the state’s reputation. To start, Pena shared her experience getting to interview all of the Historymakers, talking about how her involvement has been meaningful to her career as a journalist and the importance of understanding history through others’ stories.

Across the interviews, she said the Historymakers all shared common themes, which were “abiding love of Arizona and its freedom from set ideas, a willingness to experiment with new ideas, a determination not to take ‘no’ as an answer, a love of the Arizona landscape, a love of the Arizona people and a strong sense of community service."

The 2023 Arizona Historymakers:

• Frank M. Barrios

• Michael M. Crow, Ph.D.

• Angel Delgadillo

• Dolan Ellis

• Honorable Terry Goddard

• Denise D. Resnik

• Jeffrey M. Trent, Ph.D.

• Daniel D. Von Hoff, M.D.

• Mrs. Elizabeth J. White

Carey Pena reading Governor Hobbs Proclamation

Carey Pena and Mrs. Elizabeth White

Carey Pena with Denise Resnik