Wallis Annenberg, philanthropist and visionary, was awarded one of the nation’s highest honors in a presidential ceremony on Oct. 21. She was one of nine recipients of the 2022 National Humanities Medal, which honors an individual or organization whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the human experience, broadened citizens’ engagement with history or literature, or helped preserve and expand Americans’ access to cultural resources.
Through her work as a philanthropist, Annenberg has impacted more than 2,800 nonprofits. Some of her most notable accomplishments are in the fields of conservation, animal welfare, free press, community access and accessibility, and her legacy can be seen throughout Los Angeles. Recently, she funded the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, set to open in 2026 above U.S. Highway 101 to preserve and protect species that have been directly affected by heavy traffic and infrastructure. This wildlife crossing will connect the land on both sides of the freeway so that native animals such as deer and rabbits don’t try to cross through the highway.
In 2021, she funded the construction of the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, a safe haven for animals as a response to overcrowded shelters throughout Southern California. The organization rescues at-risk animals and provides a safe space for them at its adoption center in Playa Vista. Annenberg continues to fund the organization’s training program for veterinarians and physical therapists who work with animals.
As an heiress to the Annenberg Foundation, which was started by her father, Walter, she’s the longest-serving trustee at the University of Southern California. In 2017, she gave a gift of $10 million, which funded the construction of a brand-new building for the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
In 2009, she opened the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica on five acres of Pacific Coast Highway. The refurbished beach house allows public access to a pool, children’s play areas and a beach and boardwalk in an area that’s increasingly unaffordable for low to moderate income families. Through a partnership with the city of Santa Monica and California State Parks, the facility provides recreational opportunities to the community.
In 2004, Annenberg funded the renovation of the historic Beverly Hills post office, and turned it into the Wallis Annenberg Performing Arts Center, commonly known as “The Wallis.” The theater provides world-class entertainment as well as theater classes and training for students and the underserved.
