History Makers

#MakeHistory: That is what the recipients of the Senator John Heinz History Center’s 26th annual History Makers Awards do. This year four individuals and a business family were honored at the Westin Convention Center, Downtown, Friday night: Jay Apt for innovation, Sally Wiggin for community, Steve Blass for sports, Elayne Arrington for education, and the Hanna real estate family for business. “It is the first time we have honored a family,” noted Andy Masich, CEO of the History Center, which is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. The family members at the event included Helen Hanna Casey with Steve and their daughter Annie Engel with her husband Gus, Hoddy and Mary Anne Hanna with their children Hoby Hanna and his wife Stacey, Duffy Hanna, Kelly Hanna Riley and her husband Patrick, Mollie Hanna Lang and her husband Tom. Annie Hanna Cestra and her husband Denis were unable to attend. “I’m blown away,” said Ms. Wiggin of her award. “I started to cry when Bev Elliott called me to tell me. I look at the list of the people who have shaped this region, and I am just so honored to be part of the Heinz History Center in this way,” she said. Mr. Blass, former Pirates pitcher and Pirates commentator, agreed. “I am humbled to be joining that list of people who have done so much for our city,” he said. “I have had a lot of special nights and days in Pittsburgh. This city has been phenomenal, and I will continue to try to give back to this city as much as I have been given.”

The evening began with a VIP reception followed by dinner and the awards. Among those helping to support history and those who make it were co-chairs Kenya Boswell and Dan Fitzpatrick, board chair Diane Holder, former board chair Bill Lambert, Joanne Rogers, Bob and Jane Krizner, Catherine and Mark Loevner, Jackie Dixon and Jean Horne.