The Legacy for Children Award

Each year the Legacy for Children Award honors an individual who has made a tremendous difference in the lives of children. Some of the past recipients include violinist Roberta Guaspari, astronaut Steve Smith, Sesame Street actor Sonia Manzano, civil rights activist and author Ruby Bridges, Steve Wozniak, Olympic medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, Mister Fred Rogers, astronaut Dr. Sally Ride, and former 49er Ronnie Lott.

Previous Honorees

2021: Roberta Guaspari, Violinist, Teacher, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Performance, Opus 118 Harlem School of Music

2019: Dr. Milton Chen, Education Innovator and Author

2018: Steve Smith, Astronaut

2017: Sonia Manzano, Actress and Writer for Children’s Television Workshop

2016: Ruby Bridges, Civil Rights Activist

2015: Steve Wozniak, Founding Philanthropist for Children’s Discovery Museum

2015: Sally Osberg, Founding Executive Director of Children’s Discovery Museum

2014: DeBartolo York Family and the 49ers Foundation

2013: Alice Waters, Renowned Chef and Owner of Chez Panisse

2012: Heidi Murkoff, Author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting

2011: Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic Figure Skating Champion

2010: Dr. Sally Ride, Science Proponent and First Woman in Space

2009: Alonzo Mourning, Founder of AM Charities

2008: Ronnie Lott, Founder of All Stars Helping Kids

2007: T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., Renowned Pediatrician

2006: John Cassidy, Co-founder of Klutz Press

2005: Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), Author and Illustrator

2004: Bil Keane, Cartoonist Creator of The Family Circus

2003: Caroll Spinney, Master Puppeteer of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch

2001: Rob Reiner and I am Your Child Foundation

2000: The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

1999: Fred Rogers, Creator of Mister Rogers Neighborhood

The event supports the museum’s mission of providing hands-on educational exhibits, in-depth programming, and cultural events designed to give the community’s children the tools that will help them grow into the talented, creative, and diverse workforce of tomorrow.

Funds raised will support the museum’s 2022-23 Restoration and Revitalization Initiative to help restore museum operations and capacity to 2019 pre-COVID levels.

The 2021 Legacy event raised $1,423,000 in support of the Museum’s reopening and recovery efforts. The money helped cover lost admission revenue from maintaining reduced attendance for children’s health and safety during the pandemic, which caused the museum to be closed for 393 days.

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