Dayton Walk of Fame: Virginia Kettering

Virginia Kettering (1907-2003) changed the face of the region through her philanthropy. She was the single largest contributor to the Kettering Medical Center, which was established as a gift to the community from the Kettering Family and other donors. She was the first individual contributor to the Fraze Pavilion project, and donated $7 million to the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton with specific instructions that the historic architecture be preserved, that it remain on a bus line and be financially self-supporting. Other institutions which benefited from her vision and generosity include the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dayton Performing Arts Fund, the Dayton Ballet and the Miriam Rosenthal Memorial Fund. It was Virginia Kettering's idea to organize the Holiday Festival in downtown Dayton. A cultural leader in the community, she has helped the arts reach thousands. – Inducted: 1997

Every Monday the Dayton Daily News will feature the Dayton Region’s Walk of Fame. Visit the Walk in person on West Third Street in Dayton between Broadway and Shannon. For more information or to place a nomination, visit www.daytonregionswalkoffame.org.