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Jean Nidetch, Benefactor |
Jean
Nidetch owes everything to a weight problem -- her own and 75 million
others. That is how many people worldwide have been inspired by her
to lose weight. It began in 1961, when Jean found a diet she could
live with and lost 72 pounds. Along the way, she wanted to share her
success with others and invited six overweight friends to meet with
her in her Queens, New York apartment to support one another. Out
of this first "club" grew Weight Watchers International
and a business success beyond her dream.
Ten years later, 17,000 Weight Watchers members from around the world
gathered in New York's Madison Square Garden to celebrate Weight Watcher's
anniversary. At this time, Jean decided to resign as president of
the company and continue as a consultant. She still consults for Weight
Watchers today and travels the world inspiring, encouraging and supporting
others trying to lose weight.
For many years, Jean wrote a monthly column syndicated to more than
300 newspapers worldwide. She has written several books, one of them
her autobiography which sold over two million copies. She has appeared
on countless radio and television programs. She has been the recipient
of hundreds of awards and accolades, and she holds numerous "keys
to cities" with which she has been honored throughout her travels.
Jean Nidetch has been recognized by Ladies' Home Journal
as one of "The Most Important Women in the U.S." and as one
of the "1000 Makers of the Twentieth Century" by the London
Sunday Times. In 1989, she was honored by the Horatio Alger Association
as an outstanding American who symbolizes honor, courage, and perseverance,
joining celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Art Buchwald,
Robert Schuller, Senator Daniel Inouye, and Julius Erving.
Jean's commitment to both self-improvement and higher
education is apparent. She has established the Jean Nidetch Foundation
to benefit economically disadvantaged teenagers who wish to continue
their education. A scholarship has been set up at UCLA in her name to
support postgraduate education in Political Science.
In 1993, she made a major donation to the University
of Nevada, Las Vegas to fund the Jean Nidetch Women's Center and to
set up a scholarship endowment for students who have faced and overcome
adversity in achieving their academic goals.
In May of the same year, Jean received an honorary doctorate
from UNLV for the exceptional role she has played in inspiring so many
people to reach their goals. The doctorate is an honor she holds near
and dear to her heart.
To quote UNLV President Carol C. Harter, "The Jean
Nidetch Women's Center and Jean's scholarship endowment have been invaluable
contributions to our campus. The Center, Jean Nidetch Scholarships,
and Jean's enthusiasm and example have aided countless students in adjusting
to and succeeding in college. We at UNLV are very appreciative of her
most generous support." Jean says one of her hopes in providing
scholarships for young people is that a woman who receives one of her
scholarships will become President of the United States.
