California Hall of Fame honors artists, athletes and civic leaders at 19th induction

The California Hall of Fame held its 19th induction ceremony at the California Museum in Sacramento, where Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom hosted an evening honoring artists, athletes, chefs and public servants. The program highlighted a wide-ranging roster of inductees, including Janet Evans, Carl Lewis, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nobuyuki Matsuhisa and a posthumous induction for longtime legislator John L. Burton.

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said the museum's eighteenth class—the group recognized earlier in the program—marked a milestone: it was the first Hall of Fame class composed entirely of women. In her remarks, Siebel Newsom reviewed the inductees's careers and contributions, saying the honorees exemplified the state's "dream" and capacity for reinvention.

Governor Gavin Newsom opened the evening by praising the "spirit" and "pride" of Californians and thanking the museum and its board for the event. Anne Marie Petrie, chair of the California Museum board, welcomed attendees, thanked sponsors including California Resource Corporation and Visit California, and announced the retirement of museum executive director Amanda Meeker after three decades leading the institution.

Among individual tributes, Jennifer Siebel Newsom and presenters recounted Janet Evans's Olympic victories and record-setting career; Evans, accepting the honor, reflected on her early training in California and expressed excitement about the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Carl Lewis was saluted for his string of world and Olympic titles and told the audience about his athletic upbringing and coaching roots. Academy Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis spoke about family and the California dream, offering gratitude for the recognition.

The ceremony also honored culinary innovator Nobuyuki Matsuhisa (Nobu), who thanked California and his family; the first all-women mariachi ensemble in the U.S., Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, was recognized for breaking barriers and mentoring young musicians; and Rianne Eisler accepted recognition for decades of scholarly work on partnership systems and human-rights-based approaches to gender equity. John L. Burton was inducted posthumously, and his daughter Kimiko Burton accepted the award and recalled his work expanding supports for foster youth.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was listed among the honorees but did not attend; organizers played a recorded message in which Schwarzenegger thanked the governor and asked Newsom to receive the award on his behalf. The program included archival material and short performances and closed with hosts thanking volunteers and inviting attendees to an afterparty.

The museum emphasized educational outreach during the past year, noting a redesigned exhibit and programs that reached students statewide. No formal votes or policy actions were taken at the event; it was a ceremonial induction and celebration.