Since 2010, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame (CIHF) has inducted people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our multicultural society. Cleveland is home to people representing about 120 different ethnic groups. The CIHF exists not only to honor those special people but also to inspire a new generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.

Over 100 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2025 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.

Branka M. Malinar

Branka M. Malinar - Biography

Branka Malinar was born in Popovec, Croatia in 1941. At the age of four, the family fled the Communist Revolution in Croatia and escaped to Austria to a DP (refugee) camp. After living in the camp for two years, they moved to Munich, Germany. The final leg of their migration took them across the Atlantic Ocean traveling on the S.S. General Muir arrived on Ellis Island on May 17th, 1951. The family that sponsored them through Catholic charities helped them to settle in Cleveland, Ohio.

Family Life and Education

Branka was a bright young girl who by the age of 10 learned three languages. She attended St. Paul's Croatian Elementary School and then Notre Dame Academy for high school. For 6 years she taught Croatian Folk Dancing to younger children. She was accepted to Flora Stone Mather College for Women, a branch of Western Reserve University where she pursued a chemistry degree for three years. She danced in UAC KOLO Dancers where she met her husband, Jerry Malinar. They married in 1961 and were blessed with four daughters: Drina, Mirna, Vesna, and Nada. They moved to North Ridgeville in 1968 and while her children were young, she was a member of St. Peter's Elementary School PTA, a Girl Scout Leader, and a Library Assistant.

Teaching Career

In 1973, she completed an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at Baldwin Wallace College and began working for North Ridgeville City Schools teaching math and science. She did not stop there and quickly began working on her master's degree from Cleveland State University in Curriculum and Gifted Education in 1980. During that time, she was approached and accepted the task of creating the Gifted Education Program in North Ridgeville, teaching students in three grade levels for 22 years. Other responsibilities she took on while teaching included: Science Olympiad Competitions, Star Lab, Computer Coordinator at Wilcox Elementary (6 years), and Young Authors Program Coordinator (18 years). She did all while running her daughters around to clubs, sports, and scouts; helping with their homework while preparing lesson plans around the dining room table! Branka was named Teacher of the Year for Northeast Ohio by the Ohio Association of Gifted Coordinators. She was also nominated for the book "Who's Who Among American Teachers" in 1996, and Teacher of the Month in 1997. After many years of educating and challenging young minds, she decided to retire in 2002 becoming a member of the Retired Teachers Association.

Civic Engagement and Volunteerism

In the summer of 1976, Branka helped assemble a committee of North Ridgeville residents who approached the city council to request permission to let the people of North Ridgeville restore the second floor of the original town hall building. Permission was granted and so began the hands-on work to restore the space and produce community theater productions. She chaired the restoration committee as they sanded the old seats, repaired and painted walls, and held fundraisers for the restoration. In Sept of 1977, after producing shows outside the theater, the first production "Little Women" debuted in the newly renovated space of the Olde Towne Hall Theatre. The OTH Theatre is fast approaching its fiftieth year!

In 1977, Branka and Jerry were part of a group of founding members of The North Ridgeville Historical Society. They helped maintain a museum in the Cahoon House from 1978 to 1987 until it moved into the first floor of North Ridgeville Old Towne Hall in 1989. In 1983, both Branka and Jerry were founding members of The American Croatian Lodge in Eastlake, Ohio and their focus quickly became establishing the Croatian Heritage Museum and Library, a keystone for the vision of the lodge. As legacy volunteers, they helped plan many exhibits in the museum and develop the library. Another opportunity arose in 2009 to create a cultural garden in Rockefeller Park, Cleveland, Ohio reflecting the Croatian landscape, culture, and art. Jerry and Branka both volunteered in all aspects of launching and continuing the growth of this Cultural Garden. She has written many grants and written dozens of fundraising letters.

Collectively the goals of the two entities are to promote the Croatian culture in Cleveland by educating the general public (along with recent and past immigrants), collecting, preserving, and maintaining the collections. Branka is a member of the North Ohio Inter-Museum Council. She has also been a member of the Cardinal Stepinac Croatian National Women's Club for over 40 years.

In 2006, Branka encouraged two of her grandkids to join the American Zagreb Junior Tamburitzans. She drove them weekly for their lessons in Croatian instruments, singing, and dance for seven years.

In 1993, Branka participated in the Ellis Island Oral History Project, which is stored at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum to be used by researchers, students, historians, and interested members of the public. In 2016 she donated two Croatian folk dress and a home-made towel with a letter that explains the construction of the garments and a biography of her father, Nikola Frigan to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. The donation is a valuable contribution to the understanding of the personal lives of the immigrants who came to the United States from Croatia through Ellis Island.

Retirement and Beyond

At age 83, Branka continues leading and volunteering weekly for The Croatian Heritage Museum and Library and The Croatian Cultural Garden. She is still a member of the Cardinal Stepinac Croatian National Women's Club, The North Ohio Inter-Museum Council, and the Retired Teachers Association.

We have no doubt that her personhood planted in Croatia and transplanted to Cleveland has inspired many, but most importantly she has inspired her first, second, and third-generation descendants and their families!

Branka was inducted by Thomas Turkaly

Watch the video of the speeches.

Branka Malinar in Cleveland International Hall of Fame

Tom Turkaly inducting Branka Malinar

Russ Mitchell gives award to Branka Malinar

Standing ovation for Branka Malinar

Branka Malinar and Tom Turkaly

Croatian Ambassador to the USA Pjer Šimunovic

Branka Malinar Cleveland International Hall of Fame acceptance speech

Branka Malinar with family and friends

2025 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame