From civil rights icon Sylvia Mendez to Charlie Zhang, philanthropist and founder of Pick Up Stix, the newest Orange County Hall of Fame inductees not only embody the American dream, but also improved their communities along the way.
For their achievements and impact in the county, a second class of nine Hall of Famers were inducted Tuesday, Dec. 10, in a morning ceremony, surrounded by friends, family and supporters.
Mendez, a key figure in the Mendez v. Westminster Supreme Court case that desegregated California schools, said she considers herself an education advocate.
“Students need advocates because there’s nothing that they can’t do,” Mendez said. “I always tell them, you have to get an education. Anything you want to do, you can do it, but you just have to work at it and stick to it. And one of the best things is to get an education.”
Born and raised in Santa Ana, Mendez said it felt wonderful to be celebrated by her peers in the heart of the county. She said her mother pushed her to speak publicly about the court case her family was involved with that ended segregation in California schools, to “let the world know” what was won. And so she has in the decades since.
“I have been doing this for 22 years, going to schools and talking about it,” Mendez said. “I have fulfilled my legacy to my mother.”
Among those added this week to the Hall of Fame with Mendez were President Richard Nixon and former county supervisor and founder of the Good Samaritan Boy’s Center and Orangewood Children’s Home, William Steiner.
“The last time we were here in this room, we were thanking the Board of Supervisors for their consideration to rename Justice Center Way to Steiner Way,” Jim Steiner, William Steiner’s eldest son, said during Tuesday’s ceremony. “We thought it couldn’t get much better than that. And it did.”
Orange County has been home to renowned scientists, actors, musicians, philanthropists, athletes, civic leaders, dreamers, innovators and many more, Third District Supervisor Don Wagner said.
Nick Berardino, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, for example, has been a long-time advocate for the Orange County veteran community, Wagner said, from working with employers to secure agreements that provide veterans with essential benefits to advocating for a veterans cemetery in Orange County.
“My greatest joy was giving voice to working men and women who work so hard every single day,” Berardino said. “I hope I’m celebrating not what I have done, but celebrating what all of us continue and must continue to do.”
Representing the county’s bustling business industry, Zhang was inducted, along with Carl Karcher, founder of Carl’s Jr., and Wing Lam and his Lee Family, co-founders of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos.
Karcher moved from Ohio to Anaheim in the late-1930s. With $326, he and his wife bought a hot dog cart in Los Angeles. That one hot dog cart would later become thousands of Carl’s Jr. locations worldwide; Anaheim serving as the location of the company’s first headquarters.
“Beyond the burgers, fries and shakes, Carl’s story is one of service to others,” Carl L. Karcher, one of Karcher’s 12 children, said. “Carl believed in giving back to the communities that supported his dream, whether it was through creating thousands of jobs, supporting local charities…or when mentoring young entrepreneurs.”
“He loved this county, with its hardworking residents and shared values,” Carl L. Karcher added. “(It) embodies everything Carl stood for where ideas become reality and dreams find their foundation.”
Zhang came to America with just $20 to his name. His hard work and determination took him from being a dishwasher to founding the Chinese fast food chain restaurant Pick Up Stix.
“Every major milestone in my life began in Orange County. This community transformed my story, my struggle and my hope with a purpose,” Zhang said. “Thank you Orange County for being my home, my inspiration and my legacy. I will continue working hard to give back to the community.”
Also inducted were Leo Fender, the inventor of the first commercially successful electric guitar who changed the sound of music, as well as Ed Paul, a community leader and veterans advocate who because he had a rare blood type, spent three hours every Friday for several years donating blood at the Red Cross. He also spent years helping plan Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies in Fullerton honoring veterans.
Actress Michele Pfeiffer was originally announced as an honoree with this class, however, a county spokesperson said the actress declined the honor.
The Board of Supervisors created the Hall of Fame last year, inducting an inaugural class that included singer Gwen Stefani and Olympians Greg Louganis and Amanda Beard in the ceremony and Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Walt Disney and Henry Segerstrom among the other honorees.
Every year, the supervisors will form a Hall of Fame committee to choose the next 10 inductees. Nominees need to have a minimum of 10 years as a resident or business owner in O.C., had one major life experience or won a big award in Orange County, or have been a civic leader.
The Hall of Fame plaques are installed in the lobby of the county administration offices for the public’s viewing.
Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley said the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees have one thing in common: Generosity.
“They didn’t just have success for themselves, but they shared that success with our Orange County community,” Foley said. “Everybody has something that they’ve contributed and given back to the community that made them. The generosity … I think that’s what makes the difference for this particular group of honorees.”
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