June 2021 Featured Inductees

Immigrants

Matilda Sissieretta (Joyner) Jones - Matilda Sissieretta (Joyner) Jones, an internationally acclaimed black opera singer, was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on January 5, 1868, the daughter of Jeremeah Joyner, a former slave and a minister, and Henrietta Beale Joyner, a homemaker, washerwoman, and singer in her church choir. The couple had three children, but only Sissieretta survived childhood. At the…
David L. Angell - David L. Angell was best known for producing Emmy Award winning shows Cheers," "Wings" and "Frasier."Born on April 10, 1946 in Providence, David Angell was the youngest of three children of Mae Cooney Angell and Henry Angell. David attended Providence College, where he studied English literature. Following his graduation from PC, David enlisted in the…
Al Conte - Al Conte, 1930-2005, was a pianist and arranger, and one-time conductor of the late Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians for twenty-three years. This native of Providence was discovered by the famed Lombardo while performing at the Biltmore Hotel in 1954. He became one of the most accomplished and celebrated piano artists of our time. He became…
Ruth Buzzi - Ruth Buzzi was born on July 24, 1936 in Westerly, Rhode Island to Rena Pauline and Angelo Peter Buzzi, the latter a renowned stone sculptor associated with Westerly famed granite industry. Her father owned Buzzi Memorials. Known for her comedy routines on the 1960s variety show Rowan & Martin Laugh In (1967), Ruth Buzzi studied…
Dr. Doris M. Hollway Abels - The late Dr. Doris M. Holloway Abels, formerly of North Kingstown accomplished educator, performing artist and advocate of the arts founded her own school of dance and helped to establish the Trinity Reperatory Company. The versatile Dr. Abels was also a long-time choreographer at Theater By the Sea and was a mental health counselor and…
Dr.Rose E. Weaver - Rose from humble birth to become an accomplished singer and actress with Trinity Theater and in Hollywood, talk show hostess, a leader on the local arts scene, a social justice reformer, and the 2019 Rhode Island Woman of the Year. Inducted by Robert I. Burke (Director)
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