Hall of Fame Inductees

The Klein JCC (now KleinLife) has been a cornerstone of the Northeast Philadelphia community for decades. Located on Jamison Avenue, it provides vital social, educational, and cultural programs for seniors, children, and families. The center is particularly known for its extensive senior services, including meal programs, health and wellness activities, and lifelong learning opportunities. It serves as a gathering place for the Jewish community and the broader Northeast Philadelphia population.

Bill Boggs is an Emmy Award-winning television host, author, and professional speaker. He grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and attended Lincoln High School. Boggs has interviewed many of the most famous people in the world during his long career in television, including Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. He hosted 'Midday Live' in New York and numerous other shows. He remains connected to his roots and often shares stories of his time in the Northeast.

Friends of Pennypack Park (FOPP) is a volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of Pennypack Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country. Founded in 1987, the group organizes monthly cleanups, removes invasive species, and advocates for the park's maintenance and improvement. Their tireless efforts ensure that this natural treasure remains a clean, safe, and beautiful resource for all residents of Northeast Philadelphia.

Robert N.C. Nix Sr. was a trailblazing politician who became the first African American to represent Pennsylvania in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1958 to 1979. He was a powerful voice for civil rights and urban issues. Nix lived in Northeast Philadelphia and was the father of Robert N.C. Nix Jr., the first African American Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Edward Duffield was a master clockmaker and a close friend of Benjamin Franklin. He lived at his family estate, Benfield, in what is now the Morrell Park section of Northeast Philadelphia. Duffield made the first standard clock for Philadelphia, which hung outside his shop. He served as one of the executors of Franklin's estate and was a member of the American Philosophical Society. His contributions to horology and civic life were significant in 18th-century Philadelphia.

Al Schmid was a United States Marine who became a national hero during World War II. During the Battle of Guadalcanal, he manned a machine gun post against an overwhelming Japanese assault, continuing to fire even after being blinded by a grenade blast. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism. His story was told in the book and film 'Pride of the Marines'. Schmid lived in Northeast Philadelphia after the war and was active in veterans' affairs.

Robert Purvis was a prominent abolitionist in the United States. He lived for many years in Byberry, Northeast Philadelphia. Purvis was of mixed race and chose to identify as black and fight for the abolition of slavery. He was a founder of the American Anti-Slavery Society and served as President of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. He is often referred to as the 'President of the Underground Railroad' for his work helping thousands of enslaved people escape to freedom.

George 'Butch' Ballard was a renowned jazz drummer who grew up in Frankford. He played with some of the greatest names in jazz history, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Louis Armstrong. Ballard was a mentor to many young musicians in Philadelphia and continued to perform and teach well into his 90s. He was a fixture of the Philadelphia jazz scene and a proud resident of Northeast Philadelphia.

Pat Stopper is a dedicated community activist and founder of the cancer support group. After surviving breast cancer, she dedicated her life to helping others fighting the disease. She has been a tireless advocate for cancer patients in Northeast Philadelphia, organizing support groups, fundraisers, and awareness campaigns. Her work has provided comfort and resources to countless families in the region.

Frank Shuman was an inventor and engineer who lived and worked in Tacony. He is best known globally for helping build the world's first solar thermal power station in Maadi, Egypt in 1913. Locally, as part of the Tacony Iron Works, Shuman helped build the iconic William Penn statue that still stands atop Philadelphia's City Hall. He held numerous patents and was a pioneer in solar energy technology, envisioning a future powered by the sun over a century before it became mainstream.

Virginia Knauer was a pioneering politician and consumer advocate. A lifelong resident of Northeast Philadelphia (Torresdale), she served on Philadelphia City Council before being appointed by President Richard Nixon as the first Special Assistant to the President for Consumer Affairs. She served under presidents Nixon, Ford, and Reagan. Knauer was instrumental in the passage of consumer protection laws and was known as the 'First Lady of Consumer Affairs'.

Chris Matthews is a political commentator, author, and former television host. He was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Somerton. Matthews hosted the nightly talk show 'Hardball with Chris Matthews' on MSNBC for over 20 years. Before his media career, he served as a speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter and top aide to Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill. He often speaks fondly of his upbringing in Northeast Philadelphia.

These historic houses of worship were honored for carrying Northeast Philadelphia through many important events throughout American history. They include: Unity Monthly Meeting Frankford, Byberry Monthly Meeting, Pennepack Baptist Church, Trinity Church Oxford, Presbyterian Church of Frankford, and Campbell African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Stephen Decatur Sr. was an American naval officer who served in the American Revolution and the Quasi-War with France. He was one of the original captains in the United States Navy. Decatur lived in Frankford and is buried at St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia. He was the father of the famous naval hero Stephen Decatur Jr.

Stephen Decatur Jr. was a United States naval officer and commodore. He was born in Maryland but raised in Philadelphia. He became a national hero for his daring raid to burn the captured frigate USS Philadelphia in Tripoli harbor during the First Barbary War, an act Lord Nelson called 'the most bold and daring act of the age'. He also served with distinction in the War of 1812. Decatur lived in Frankford and his home, Decatur House, stood for many years.

Reverend Leon Sullivan and his family were among the first residents of Greenbelt Knoll, Philadelphia's first planned interracial community. A Baptist minister and civil rights leader, Sullivan founded the Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC) in 1964, which grew into an international organization providing job and life skills training to those who need it most. He also created the Sullivan Principles, a code of corporate conduct regarding South African apartheid that influenced global business ethics. OIC has trained millions of people worldwide.

Ed Kelly grew up in Rhawnhurst and devoted his life to Northeast Philadelphia after serving in World War II. As executive director of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, he worked tirelessly to promote local businesses and community development. His most beloved legacy is founding the Pennypack Park summer concert series, which has provided an estimated $1 million in free entertainment to the community. Kelly passed away just two months before his induction, and his son Ted accepted the honor on his behalf in an emotional ceremony.

Chris Ferguson grew up in the Far Northeast, where he would watch planes at the Northeast Philadelphia Airport and dream of flying. That dream took him further than he ever imagined. After attending Archbishop Ryan High School, he studied engineering at Drexel University, then joined the Navy where he became a test pilot. Ferguson was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1998 and flew three Space Shuttle missions, commanding both STS-126 and the historic STS-135—the final Space Shuttle mission in 2011. He later worked on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft program.

SPIN (Special People In Northeast) was founded in 1970 by a group of parents in Northeast Philadelphia who wanted better lives for their children with intellectual disabilities. Today, SPIN is a leading provider of services for children and adults with autism and intellectual disabilities, serving over 3,500 people annually. The organization provides early intervention, behavioral health, residential, and employment services, embodying a mission of a life of possibilities for everyone.

Benjamin Rush was a Founding Father of the United States and a civic leader in Philadelphia, where he was a physician, politician, social reformer, humanitarian, and educator. He signed the Declaration of Independence and attended the Continental Congress. Rush was a pioneer in the study of mental illness and is considered the 'Father of American Psychiatry'. He lived at his ancestral home, Morven, in what is now the Torresdale section of Northeast Philadelphia.

Sister Mary Scullion, a member of the Sisters of Mercy, is a nationally recognized advocate for the homeless and mentally ill. A native of Northeast Philadelphia and graduate of Little Flower High School, she co-founded Project HOME in 1989. The organization provides housing, employment, medical care, and education to homeless and low-income persons in Philadelphia. In 2009, Time magazine named her one of the '100 Most Influential People in the World'.

Aid for Friends was started by Rita Ungar-Schiavone in 1974 in her own home. What began as a small effort to help neighbors grew steadily, first filling a trailer behind St. Jerome's Church, then expanding to a storefront on Holme Avenue, before becoming a large operation in the Far Northeast. The organization has served over 14 million meals to more than 11,700 shut-ins across the Philadelphia region. Aid for Friends pioneered the concept of home-delivered meal services and continues to provide vital nutrition and companionship to isolated seniors.

Harry C. Silcox is recognized as the foremost historian of Northeast Philadelphia. A star basketball player for Temple University in the 1950s, he went on to coach at Lincoln High School, where he later served as assistant principal and principal. Upon his retirement in 1992, Silcox established and directed the Pennsylvania Institute for Environmental and Community Service Learning at Philadelphia University. He has devoted his post-retirement years to researching and writing about Northeast Philadelphia history, becoming a noted author, lecturer, and scholar.

Thomas Holme was the first Surveyor General of the colonial-era Province of Pennsylvania. Appointed by William Penn, Holme laid out the first and original plan for the city of Philadelphia in 1682. He was a member of the Valiant Sixty, a group of early leaders in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Holme established his home, Wellspring, in what is now Holmesburg. He served as a councilor to Penn, justice of the peace, and commissioner of property until his death in 1695.

Joan Krajewski represented the 6th District on Philadelphia City Council for 30 years, becoming one of the most influential voices for Northeast Philadelphia. She made history as the first woman to serve as Majority Leader of Philadelphia City Council. Krajewski established the Community Life Improvement Program and was named Best Councilperson by Philadelphia Magazine in 1987, 1990, and 1991. Known for her tenacity and dedication to constituents, she was called 'the toughest politician next to Frank Rizzo' by fellow legislators.

Tom Gola is widely considered one of the greatest NCAA basketball players of all time. A Philadelphia native, he led La Salle College High School to a Catholic League Championship, then starred at La Salle University where he won both NIT (1952) and NCAA (1954) championships. He remains the NCAA all-time rebounding leader with 2,201 career rebounds. As a professional, he won an NBA championship with the Philadelphia Warriors in 1956 and was a five-time NBA All-Star. After his playing career, he coached at La Salle and served in Pennsylvania politics, including as Philadelphia City Controller from 1970-1974.

Katharine Drexel was born into one of Philadelphia's wealthiest families and spent summers at the family estate in Torresdale. Rather than live a life of privilege, she devoted her life and her $20 million inheritance to helping impoverished Native Americans and African Americans. In 1891, she founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, establishing over 60 missions and schools across the United States, including Xavier University of Louisiana—the only historically Black Catholic university in America. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000, becoming only the second American-born saint.

Henry Disston founded Disston Saw Works in Northern Liberties in the 1840s, which grew to become one of the largest saw manufacturers in the world. In the 1870s, he relocated the business to Tacony with a revolutionary vision: building a family-centric community for his employees. His wife Mary created the Mary Disston Estate, which provided land, homes, and amenities for Saw Works employees. The Disstons transformed Tacony into a model industrial community with worker housing, schools, and recreational facilities.