There is something special about a Hall of Fame. There are a lot of awards and recognitions and these inductees have certainly earned their share. But a Hall of Fame is special. And so are the people of the inaugural class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

A Hall of Fame makes you think of Ruth and Gehrig and Mays and Feller. Or Graham and Brown and Groza and Warfield. A Hall of Fame not only recognizes tremendous achievements but also a lifetime of accomplishments.

We have been fortunate to meet and interact with numerous people in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio who have left an indelible mark because of their efforts in the ethnic and cultural community. Cleveland is home to 100 or so different ethnic groups and each brings their unique customs, costumes, music, religion, art, food and more to the community. We believe that our community is richer because of our ethnic diversity and that it could be even better if we promoted and celebrated the cultures more. That's where our website, ClevelandPeople.Com, comes in.

Sure we strive to be a resource for people who belong to or are interested in a particular group. But we are happiest when a site visitor happens upon an interesting item from a different group and attends a new event, tries a new food, learns a new song or smiles at someone who looks a little different from them.

When my sister Debbie came up with the idea for the Cleveland International Hall of Fame, I was excited but had some concerns. We have met so many extraordinary people in our work with ClevelandPeople.Com that I feared we would need to induct 100 or more people each year.

We started talking to people and formed an advisory committee to help us. August Pust, with his sense of history of the ethnic groups in Ohio gave advice and encouragement. Dick Pogue offered insights from when he helped create the Cleveland Business Hall of Fame. And then there were our Ambassadors.

When we started ClevelandPeople.Com, we knew we would never be able to know each of the communities as well as those who were active in them. We began recruiting these passionate representatives as Ambassadors and they now number over 50. Some are Ambassadors to a particular community while others are Supporting Ambassadors and span groups.

We asked our Ambassadors (some of whom are in this photo from our launch party) who they would recommend for the Hall of Fame.

We asked them to consider the community that they represented but also those people who have helped the community at large.

We also asked the general public (via the website, blogs, Facebook, Twitter and e-mail blasts) for their nominations and suggestions. We soon had a huge list of very worthy candidates. Then the hard work really began.

We worked closely with the committee and our Ambassadors to whittle the list down to this Inaugural Class of 13. Many of the cuts were painful as deserving people were eliminated. They will undoubtedly be inducted into future classes of the Hall of Fame.

Those who are being inducted into this inaugural class were unanimous choices. Parts of their impressive bios are in this book and more thorough information is on ClevelandPeople.Com but here is a sample.

Jenny Brown is an internationally recognized scientist who received the National Ellis Island Medal of Honor for her work with the Hungarian community in Cleveland.

Dr. Dieu Thuc Do immigrated to the US in 1975 after the fall of South Viet Nam and has served not just the medical needs of Cleveland's Vietnamese community but served as their representative and friend.

Bob Haas is founder of the Cleveland Oktoberfest and has grown it into a world class event, where all Clevelanders can celebrate German culture and traditions.

Helen Karpinski was a pioneer in women's politics but was also a tireless worker for her beloved Polish community serving in many groups including the Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation helping establish the Polish Garden.

Alex Machaskee could enter the Hall of Fame just for his work with the Serbian community but his vision and leadership in creating Mosaic while publisher of the Plain Dealer greatly aided all groups. He is an Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient.

Lonnie McCauley was passionate about her Irish heritage and worked tirelessly to document, promote and unify the Cleveland Irish community before her tragic early death at age 53.

Irene Morrow leads the American Nationalities Movement and is a beacon for the end of oppression and the demand for increased freedom around the world, especially the "Captive Nations."

August Pust has been called upon by officials from Cleveland, the State of Ohio, US Congress and international bodies to share his expertise in ethnic and cultural matters. He is an Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient.

Paul Sciria may be known as the first TV investigative reporter, but the Italian community knows him for La Gazzetta Italiana and the Columbus Day Parade in Little Italy.

Paramjit Singh has been a leader in the Asian Indian community since his arrival in 1962 and as a devout Sikh, he has dedicated his life to serving the needy.

George Voinovich's many achievements are well known as is his pride in his Serbian and Slovenian heritage. As he says, "I have found over the years that those people who are proud of their ethnic heritage are great Americans."

Leo Weidenthal served the Jewish community with his work on the Jewish Independent later the Cleveland Jewish News. His vision which led to the Cultural Gardens was monumental for the entire region and an example for the world.

Margaret Wong is perhaps the best friend that Cleveland ethnic and cultural groups have. Her support for events, publications and people is legendary. Margaret is an Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient.

What an impressive and worthy group! We congratulate and thank you all for your tremendous service to our city.

Dan Hanson
ClevelandPeople.Com

P.S. The planning for the 2011 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame begins tomorrow! Put May 11, 2011 on your calendar now and please send us your suggestions for next year's class.