Buzz Aldrin

(b. 1930)

Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Buzz Aldrin is a mechanical engineer, retired United States Air Force pilot and astronaut best known for his historic 1969 moonwalk on Apollo 11.

Educated at the US Military Academy at West Point, Aldrin graduated third in his class with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He then joined the Air Force, where he completed 66 combat missions and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. After completing another tour of duty in Germany, he went on to earn his Doctorate of Science in Astronautics for his thesis on Manned Orbital Rendezvous at MIT.

Beach Boys

(formed in 1961)

The Beach Boys’ music, with its trademark harmonies and lyrics, has brought the spirit of California all around the world. Perhaps more than any other musicians, the Beach Boys have symbolized the California Dream for over 50 years.

Elizabeth Blackburn

(b. 1948)

Dr. Elizabeth H. Blackburn is a leader in telomere and telomerase research. She discovered the molecular nature of telomeres – the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes that serve as protective caps essential for preserving the genetic information – and the ribonucleoprotein enzyme telomerase. Currently Morris Herzstein Professor of Biology and Physiology in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco, Blackburn and her research team are working with various cells with the goal of understanding telomerase and telomere biology.

Father Gregory Boyle

(b. 1954)

Fr. Gregory Boyle was born in Los Angeles, one of eight children. Ordained a priest in 1984, he has worked in various locations in the U.S. and abroad, but is best known for his service as pastor of Dolores Mission in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles and for his creation of Homeboy Industries.  This organization traces its roots to a program he created in 1988 to address the problems of gang-involved youth through positive alternatives, including establishing an elementary school, a day care program, and finding legitimate employment for young people.

Doris and Donald Fisher

(b. 1931 and 1928-2009)

Doris and Don Fisher had a simple idea: to make it easier to find a pair of jeans.  In 1969, they revolutionized the retail industry by opening the first Gap store on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco.

The Fishers, both born in San Francisco, were long-time family friends prior to marrying in 1953.  Doris graduated from Stanford University, as one of the first women to earn an Economics degree. Don was refurbishing old hotels when a “lucky” happening occurred: he leased space to a Levi’s® jeans salesman. 

Earvin “Magic” Johnson

(b. 1952)

Born Ervin Johnson, Magic Johnson is an NBA superstar, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Named the greatest point guard of all time by ESPN.com, Johnson excelled at basketball from the time he was in high school. In college, he helped Michigan State win the national championship and was chosen MVP. The Lakers selected him as the first pick in the 1979 NBA draft, and he became the first rookie to start in an All-Star game. The Lakers won the NBA championship, and Johnson became the youngest player to be playoff MVP.

Ed Roberts

(b. 1939)

Born in San Mateo, California, Ed Roberts was 14 when he contracted a case of polio that left him paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe. When he got out of the hospital at age 16, he was reluctant to leave the house at first. His mother insisted, and soon he was ignoring the stares and excelling in his classes. His first fight arose when the school refused to graduate him because he had not taken physical education or driver’s education classes. Roberts, with his mother’s help, won that battle, as he would many more throughout his life.

Carlos Santana

(b. 1947)

Delivered with a level of passion and soul equal to the sonic charge of his guitar, the sound of Carlos Santana is one of the world’s best-known musical signatures. For over four decades, Carlos has been the visionary force behind music that transcends genres as well as cultural and geographical boundaries.

Amy Tan

Born in Oakland, California, to Chinese immigrants, Amy Tan rejected her mother’s expectations that she become a doctor and concert pianist. She chose to write fiction instead. Her novels are The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God’s Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter’s Daughter and Saving Fish from Drowning, all New York Times bestsellers and recipients of various awards. She is also the author of a memoir, two children’s books, and numerous magazine articles. Her work has been translated into 35 languages.

Justice Roger Traynor

(1900-1983)

The son of Irish immigrants, Roger Traynor was born and raised in the mining town of Park City, Utah. From the time he was a boy, he displayed a love of learning and a commitment to his studies, so it was no surprise that his teachers encouraged him to pursue his education after graduating high school. He arrived at UC Berkeley in 1919 with savings of $500 and a fervent hope that he could earn his way through college. He did so through his studies – at the end of his freshman year, his academic record earned him a scholarship that took him to graduation with highest honors. He went on to teach at the university, while also working toward a PhD in political science and a law degree, both of which he earned in 1927.