Renowned primatologist and SF native Dian Fossey named to California Hall of Fame
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Renowned primatologist Dian Fossey was one of two Bay Area luminaries named to the 18th class of the California Hall of Fame on Thursday. Fossey, was born in San Francisco and later moved to Marin as a child. She attended the College of Marin and San Jose State University before launching [...]
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Renowned primatologist Dian Fossey was one of two Bay Area luminaries named to the 18th class of the California Hall of Fame on Thursday. Fossey, was born in San Francisco and later moved to Marin as a child.
She attended the College of Marin and San Jose State University before launching a celebrated career as a primatologist and conservationist. She was best known for undertaking an extensive study of mountain gorilla groups beginning in 1966.
She continued the study until she was found murdered in her cabin in the mountains of Rwanda in December of 1985. It is believed she was murdered in connection to her longstanding crusade against wildlife poaching.
Fossey was honored along with Bay Area literary figure Ina Donna Coolbrith. A poet, writer, librarian, and prominent figure in the literary community, Coolbrith was known as the "Sweet Singer of California."
A former resident of San Francisco's Russian Hill, she was the first California Poet Laureate.
The California Hall of Fame, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom's office, consists of "trailblazers in athletics, civil rights, culinary arts, entertainment" and other categories. This year's class of Hall of Famers was historic for being the first entirely comprised of women.
Gov. Newsom's office called it a "meaningful recognition of women's achievements, which have historically been underrepresented in California's history."
The complete list of those honored for 2024 includes:
- Julia Child: Cook, author, television personality
- Ina Donna Coolbrith: California's first poet laureate
- Vicki Manalo Draves: Olympic gold medalist
- Mitsuye Endo: Civil rights activist
- Dian Fossey: Primatologist, gorilla conservationist
- Alice Piper: Civil rights hero
- Tina Turner: Singer, performer
"We are very proud to induct the California Hall of Fame's 18th class," said Gov. Newsom. "This all-female cohort consists of powerful women who remain beloved cultural icons and civil rights luminaries today, truly embodying the California spirit."
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