102nd Birthday for 2023 Historymaker Mrs. Elisabeth White

 Celebrating her 102nd birthday with the “Happy Birthday” song at the 2025 Arizona Historymakers Announcement event, Mrs. Elizabeth White, honored as a Historymaker in 2023, graciously acknowledged the crowd.

Diana Gregory Foundation Honorees

 Each year the Diana Gregory Foundation honors two senior citizens who have made great contributions in their community. Historical League member Dr. Josephine Pete was honored this year.

Pictures from Norma Jean Coulter.

Attending the event are Historical League members Norma Jean Coulter with Dr. Josephine Pete, and Cathy and Tom Shumard. 

Dr. Josephine Pete, one of today’s honorees.

Guest speaker Andrew Young, 92 yr old former Atlanta mayor, U.S. representative, ambassador, guest speaker

Mrs. Elizabeth White, 102 yr old former honoree and 2023 Arizona Historymaker. Lady in red with Mrs. White is 104 yr old WW II army nurse who is also honorary mascot for Tuskegee airmen Arizona Chapter.

PBS Horizon features Arizona Historymakers

 Enthusiastic about Arizona Historymakers™, Diana Smith and Carey Pena shared stories of the 2023 Historymakers on Arizona PBS Horizon. https://azpbs.org/horizon/2023/12/the-historical-league-names-this-years-historymakers/

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

Unveiling 2023 Arizona Historymaker Exhibit

 Ribbon cutting and unveiling of 2023 Arizona Historymakers™ Exhibit was first on the agenda for the October 14 Celebration. Special invitations for the early unveiling event were given to Historymakers, dignitaries, sponsors and guests. Speeches were made. The crowd was enthusiastic. National History Day students had great views from the balcony. Lots of photos taken!

Congratulations to the 2023 Arizona Historymakers™:

Frank M. Barrios, Michael M. Crow Ph.D., Angel Delgadillo, Dolan Ellis, The Honorable Terry Goddard, Denise D. Resnik, Jeffrey M. Trent Ph.D., Daniel D. Von Hoff M.D., Mrs. Elizabeth J. White.

Set up time for 2023 Historymakers Celebration at AZHC

Lots of activity at the AZHC in preparation for the 2023 Arizona Historymakers™ Celebration. So many details go into planning this event. The committee did a fabulous job; everything was ready.

Stage set in Steele Auditorium, tables ready in the courtyard, extra wires to Brown Theatre for over flow crowd, chairs labeled for Historymaker seating, Historymaker Exhibit finished, Welcome Bags, caterers, valet parking . . . the list was very long.

Honoring Frank M. Barrios, Michael M. Crow Ph.D., Angel Delgadillo, Dolan Ellis, The Honorable Terry Goddard, Denise D. Resnik, Jeffrey M. Trent Ph.D., Daniel D. Von Hoff M.D., Mrs. Elizabeth J. White.

 

What's new about the 2023 Turquoise Treasures Celebration?

 Click here to get tickets to the event

https://www.historicalleague.org/event-inside.aspx...

NHDAZ students showcase their projects at Historymakers Celebration Oct. 14

National History Day AZ students will be at Arizona Historymakers™ Celebration on October 14 at AZHS beginning at 3 pm. Cathy Shumard writes, “8 NHDAZ students with 2 teachers and 6 parents have accepted our invitation to showcase their award winning projects.”

With topics such as “Black Barbershops: Cutting to New Frontiers”, “John F. Long: Opening Frontier to Phoenix Building,” and “Sesame Street: New Frontiers in Intellectual and Social Education”, incorporated into websites, documentaries and exhibits we can see first hand the work they have done. It is with great enthusiasm that we meet these industrious students who show such potential . . . they could become future Historymakers.

Join us Oct 14 as we honor 2023 Arizona Historymakers Frank M. Barrios, Michael M. Crow Ph.D., Angel Delgadillo, Dolan Ellis, The Honorable Terry Goddard, Denise D. Resnik, Jeffrey M. Trent Ph.D., Daniel D. Von Hoff M.D., Mrs. Elizabeth J. White.

https://www.historicalleague.org/event-inside.aspx?productid=239

The Golden Rule Cafe, Mrs. Elizabeth White and Dr. Lincoln and Eleanor Ragsdale

A $500 loan made the difference for Mrs. White and The Golden Rule Cafe. She took over the restaurant in 1964 after her brother moved. Bank loans for African Americans were difficult and for a Black woman in business (impossible) in those days. Local activists Dr. Lincoln and Eleanor Ragsdale loaned her $500 through their loan company.

Honored as 2023 Arizona Historymaker, Mrs. Elizabeth White enjoyed the reception recently at the Arizona Heritage Center Museum. 2023 Arizona Historymaker Chair Diana Smith greets fellow Historical League member Lincoln Ragsdale Jr. and Mrs. Elizabeth White. Video https://youtu.be/plhJKvhwtzw

Congratulations to all 2023 Historymakers:

Frank Barrios

ASU President Michael Crow

Angel Delgadillo

Dolan Ellis

Ira Fulton & The Fulton Family

Terry Goddard

Denise Resnik

Dr. Jeffrey M. Trent

Dr. Daniel D. Von Hoff

Mrs. Elizabeth White

Family members and friends support 2023 AZ Historymakers

 An enthusiastic group of family members attended the 2023 Arizona Historymakers Announcement on Feb 23. The lobby at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park was filled with supporters of the new group of Historymakers.

Catching up with old friends and making new ones: that was the atmosphere at the reception for 2023 Arizona Historymakers Announcement on Feb. 23. Past and present Historymakers, guests, Historical League volunteers crowded the lobby, creating a festive place.

Mrs. White Celebrates 100th Birthday as 2023 AZ Historymaker

How do you celebrate your 100th birthday? Why not at the Arizona Heritage Center with 150 attendees? According to Todd Bailey at AZHC, "Mrs. White was in happy tears over our honoring her on Feb. 23 as an 2023 Arizona Historymaker." With every one in the lobby singing "Happy Birthday" she was overwhelmed.

She told us she was welcomed to Governor Hobbs office where Feb 20 was proclaimed "Mrs. Elizabeth J.  White Day", the Mayor stopped in at her Golden Rule Cafe, and the family threw her a party equal to a wedding reception.

Many Historical League members remember celebrating 1997 Historymaker Polly Rosenbaum's 100th birthday at AZHC with her favorite Chocolate Cake (recipe in Tastes & Treasures Vol I page 136). This recipe was modified by League member Claire Nullmeyer to individual servings and beautifully presented for the Historymaker Announcement Event Feb 23.

A favorite of Mrs. White's is a Coconut and Pineapple cake so we definitely had one of those.