The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to designate July 15 as Wallis Annenberg Day in honor of the late philanthropist’s contributions to arts, education and public spaces across the region.
The motion, introduced by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, recognizes Annenberg’s decades of civic and philanthropic leadership and her work as chair, president and chief executive officer of the Annenberg Foundation.
During her tenure, the foundation distributed more than $1.5 billion in grants supporting education, the arts, environmental conservation, public health, animal welfare and community organizations across Los Angeles County, according to county officials.
“Wallis Annenberg believed in the limitless potential of Los Angeles County and dedicated her life to creating opportunities for others to thrive,” Horvath said in a statement. “A fearless she-ro, her generosity transformed the places where we gather, learn, create, and connect, while her philanthropy strengthened communities in every corner of our region.”
The proclamation was accepted during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting by Annenberg Foundation board directors Gregory Weingarten and Lauren Bon, Annenberg’s children.
Projects supported through Annenberg’s philanthropy include the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, GenSpace in Koreatown, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills and Annenberg PetSpace in Playa Vista.
County officials said the designation recognizes Annenberg’s lasting impact through investments that expanded access to arts, recreation, conservation and community resources for residents throughout Los Angeles County.