Year Inducted: 1996
Arlene Violet - Ms. Violet of Barrington was the first woman in the United Stated to be elected to State Attorney General, as well as a popular radio talk-show host. She was a practicing attorney and former Roman Catholic nun. She was RI's Attorney General in the mid 1980's, and is widely recognized for her community service and…
Catherine T. Hammet - Hammett, Catherine Tilley Ms. Hammett of Newport was an internationally recognized Girl Scout Official who continued to serve as a volunteer even after retirement. She was the first young woman in Newport to become a Girl Scout in 1917, then joined the Rhode Island staff as a field captain and served on the national staff…
Dr. Milton W. Hamolsky - Hamolsky, Milton W., 1921-2014 Dr. Hamolsky of Providence was the first full time Physician-In-Chief of Medicine at Rhode Island Hospital and a Professor of Medical Science at Brown University where he helped develop the Brown University Medical School. He was the first Chief Administrative Officer of the Board of Medical Licensure & Discipline for the…
Dr. Renato E. Leonelli - Dr. Leonelli, formerly of Providence, advanced the education of RI youth through his 39 year tenure as Professor of Physical Science and Science Education at Rhode Island College, as well as through a weekly, live, local television program entitled ‘Small Fry Science'. He also served on the Boards of numerous civic and cultural organizations and…
Frank Licht - Mr. Licht, formerly of Providence, was Governor of the State of Rhode Island from 1969 to 1973, and served as an Associate Justice of the Superior Court from 1956 to 1968. He was also a member of the State Senate for seven years, and was the only Rhode Island Governor to serve in all three…
Helen A. Bert - Ms. Bert, of North Providence, was a Director of Women's Athletics at Providence College, and widely recognized for her decades of service promoting athletic opportunities for Women. Coming to the Rhode Island when the College became co-educational in 1970, she was the first woman to be elected into the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame…
Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf - Metcalf, Helen Adelia Rowe, -- -1895. Ms. Rowe Metcalf, formerly of Providence, was leader in the drive to establish the Rhode Island School of Design and devoted most of her time from 1878 to her death in 1895 to directing the School. Her influence and administrative skills enabled RISD to be founded with the goals…
Ronald A. Leonard - Mr. Leonard, formerly of Providence before relocating to California, was for more than 40 years an internationally renowned musician and teacher of music. He was Principle Cellist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and professor of Cello at the University of Southern California. He previously performed with both the Cleveland Orchestra and Rochester Philharmonic, and…
Vice Admiral John T. Hayward - Vice Admiral Hayward of Newport served 70 years in the U.S. Navy before retiring in 1995. As a World War II naval aviator, he helped develop one of the two atomic bombs that was dropped on Japan in the closing days of the war. Later, he was a pioneer in the development of nuclear propulsion,…
