This Fall, The National Museum of American Jewish History Will Induct Blais into its Only in America® Gallery/Hall of Fame

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (June 30, 2021) – The public has voted and the next inductee into the Ed Snider Only in America Gallery®/Hall of Fame, which recognizes outstanding Jewish Americans, will be “Hometown Hero” Pam Blais of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

In the earliest days of the pandemic, Blais, a former ER nurse, launched The Pantry Box to deliver boxes of snacks (and, at one point, masks and meals as well) to area emergency departments. The boxes gave area nurses the fuel they needed to keep helping patients during the busiest time of the pandemic. Her daughters joined in as well, demonstrating an intergenerational commitment to giving back. She then founded Care4Frontline to address the burnout, post-traumatic stress, and mental health issues in the health care community that will continue to arise as a result of working through the darkest days of COVID-19. She’s been called a Healthcare Hero by the Virginian-Pilot.

The Only in America Gallery is part of the National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH) on Independence Mall in Philadelphia. An honor bestowed to just 23 prior inductees, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Steven Spielberg, Barbara Streisand, Emma Lazarus, and Irving Berlin, the award recognizes the achievements and contributions of American Jews who share and exemplify the ideals of the stories explored in the Museum.

For the first time, NMAJH solicited nominations for Hometown Heroes — everyday citizens who strive to make their communities a better place and made particularly impactful commitments during the pandemic. The public was then invited to vote for these inductees throughout the month of June. Blais will be the first Hometown Hero inducted into the Only in America Gallery / Hall of Fame.

“Given this year’s Jewish American Heritage Month theme of supporting one another in the face of adversity, Pam Blais has proven herself a deserving inductee into our Only in America Gallery/Hall of Fame,” said NMAJH CEO, Dr. Misha Galperin, referring to the month in which the public nomination process began. “She stepped up to serve her community’s hospital workers, the people who bravely and selflessly worked to get us through the pandemic. We look forward to celebrating this accomplishment with her at our annual induction ceremony this fall.”

Visit https://www.nmajh.org/oia-voting-2021/ and JewishAmericanHeritage.org to learn more.

Download photos:

NMAJH and Only In America images; credit lines enclosed
Pam Blais Photo

ABOUT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY

Established in 1976, and situated on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, the National Museum of American Jewish History is the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. NMAJH presents educational programs and experiences that preserve, explore, and celebrate the history of Jews in America. Its purpose is to connect Jews more closely to their heritage and to inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire.