2021 South Shore Legends Celebration

Event Information

Everyone is invited to the 2021 South Shore Legends celebration - Wednesday afternoon, December 8^th at the Indiana Welcome Center (7770 Corrine Dr., Hammond, IN). Registration and networking will take place from 4:00pm – 4:30pm, with a ceremony to take place promptly at 4:30pm.

2021 South Shore Legends Honorees include:

Lee Botts: Environmental Pioneer

Lee Botts’ life of volunteerism led to environmental activism and work in nonprofits, government, and academia. During her lifetime she founded two non-profit organizations, significantly influenced the documentary “Shifting Sands: On the Path to Sustainability”, served as one of the founders of the Dunes Learning Center, and impacted environmental policy here and throughout the United States.

William E. Urschel & Dr. Joe R. Urschel: Inventors and Innovators

William and Joe were both pioneers and innovators in their own rights. Between the two, they hold over 140 U.S. patents, many of which help shaped technology today. William’s 1941 patent concerning a concrete forming / laying machine is believed to be the earliest venture into what is now popular 3D printing. One of Joe’s most notable inventions is the single pass milling machine, the Comitrol® Processor Model 9300, which remains the go-to in the production of peanut butter and nut milks.

Naomi Bowman Talbert Anderson: 19^th Century Suffragist and Civil Rights Activist

Born in Michigan City in 1843 to free black parents, Naomi Bowman Talbert Anderson became an outspoken advocate for women’s voting rights and civil rights for people of color. In 1896, she and Susan B. Anthony jointly led the California ballot proposition to give women the right to vote. She lived a life of brilliant and effective activism and traveled the country, speaking at hundreds of suffrage events.

Also being honored at this event will be Mya Bell, 2021 recipient of The Legends Scholarship through the Legacy Foundation. Mya is in her sophomore at Purdue Northwest and is majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. The Legends Scholarship celebrates a student who demonstrates one or more of the virtues of a South Shore Legends (Exploration, Courage, Creativity and/or Innovation) and attends a local college or university.

The public is invited to attend this complimentary event; however, advanced registration is requested. To register please visit:  https://www.southshorecva.com/legends/rsvp/.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE SOUTH SHORE LEGENDS PROGRAM:

The South Shore has been a home, laboratory or workshop for individuals who by their actions, have demonstrated exploration, courage, creativity and/or innovation. Their accomplishments still resonate in and beyond this region.

Others from Northwest Indiana have made their mark as well, including men and women in the Armed Forces, Nobel Prize winners, distinguished actors and astronauts. The distinguishing characteristics of these honorees is that they also made contributions here in the region.

This is a reminder to all of us - especially the next generation - that we, too, can make a contribution along the South Shore.

South Shore Legends is dedicated to the legendary spirit within all of us. It is sponsored by the men and women of the BP Whiting Business Unit.

Commemorative plaques, listing their accomplishments and including their photographs, are displayed on the Wall of Legends at the Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond, Indiana.