Community Action Hall of Fame

RECOGNIZING THE VISIONARY LEADERS DRIVING COMMUNITY ACTION FORWARD

The Community Action Hall of Fame honors retired leaders whose vision, dedication, and impact have strengthened and inspired the Community Action movement. Inductees are nominated by their state's Community Action association and supported by local Community Action Agencies, ensuring that each honoree reflects the values and achievements of the network they served.

59 Hall of Fame Inductees • Classes of 2024–2026

Hall of Fame Legacy

Celebrating outstanding leaders whose vision, advocacy, and service have strengthened and advanced the Community Action movement nationwide.

Jesse Amburgey KY • 2024
Gladys C. Baisa HI • 2026
Darlene Bigler PA • 2026
Eugene Brady PA • 2024
Charles Braithwait MO • 2024
Arnold Byrd NJ • 2025
Philip Cole OH • 2026
Robert Coard MA • 2024
Dorothy Counts-Scoggins NC • 2024
Cindy Dannenbring SD • 2025
Tim Donnellan OH • 2024
Dr. Joyce Dorsey GA • 2026
Jane Drapeaux IA • 2026
John Drew MA • 2025
Ted Edlich VA • 2026
Ron Errett PA • 2026
Almetra Franklin LA • 2026
Ophelia Gaines GA • 2024
Dr. James Gatling CT • 2025
Rob Goldsmith VA • 2025
James Hemm NJ • 2024
Gale Hennessy NH • 2024
Cathy Hoskins UT • 2024
Richard Jackson KS • 2025
Alan Jennings PA • 2025
Dana Jones DC • 2024
Mark Koiwai DC • 2026
Fred Lettieri PA • 2025
Annette Lewis VA • 2024
Perry Lundon ND • 2025
Charles McCann MO • 2026
Kathleen McDermott MA • 2026
Joanne McGunagle RI • 2025
Deborah Monahan CT • 2026
Jim Morton MT • 2024
Brent Morey OK • 2026
Terry Newhard NJ • 2026
Rick Nation NE • 2024
James Norman NY • 2024
Alvin Norris OH • 2025
Dr. Bertha Proctor IN • 2025
Buddy Ray CA • 2026
Ed Revis MI • 2026
Dave Rinebolt OH • 2026
Ken Robinette ID • 2025
Jeff Rupp MT • 2025
Hal Schultz UT • 2026
Dick Sievers IA • 2024
Patricia Steiger IA • 2025
Lana Stokes NJ • 2026
Mike Thorsteinson MN • 2026
Shelia Triplett OH • 2026
Amy Turner NY • 2026
Dr. E. Marie Watson NC • 2026
Elaine West MO • 2025
John Wilson PA • 2026
Duane Yoder MD • 2024
George Yokoyama HI • 2026
Scott Zahorik MN • 2026
 
Nomination Process

The nomination process for the 2026 class is not yet open. Each state, through its Community Action association, may submit one retired nominee who has made significant contributions to the Community Action movement.

Nominations must include:

  • A one-page nomination narrative describing the nominee's leadership, accomplishments, and impact.
  • Letters of recommendation from Community Action leaders, colleagues, board members, or partner organizations familiar with the nominee's contributions.
  • Evidence of the nominee's lasting influence on Community Action, public policy, agency leadership, advocacy, or community development.

We encourage states to begin identifying outstanding leaders whose vision, service, and commitment have strengthened the Community Action movement and improved the lives of families and communities nationwide.