Sara Lee Schupf, Founder, SciPlay

Sara Lee Schupf’s philanthropy focuses on gaining recognition for women in science, encouraging more young people to have an interest in science, and supporting programs that connect science and society. In 1994, while she was president of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute, she established the Weizmann Woman and Science Award to increase the recognition of outstanding women scientists, and to provide more visible role models in order to encourage the next generation of young women scientists.

Other initiatives include the establishment of the Lubin Family Chair for a woman scientist at Skidmore College and an endowed teaching science intern at the Emma Willard School, a private secondary school for young women. Partnering with the National Academy of Science, she and her family co-funded a series of biographies written for middle school students, Women’s Adventures in Science, which was recently published. Ms. Schupf, the namesake for the Sara Lee Corporation, is currently serving as a trustee of Skidmore College, Emma Willard School, the New York Hall of Science, and Chair Emerita of the American Committee of the Weizmann Institute. She is co-chair of the Skidmore Capital Campaign. She is also a member of the President’s Circle of the National Academy of Science and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The Wall Street Journal ran an article entitled Play Space for Hall of Science that offers more insight into the role of science in Mrs. Schupf’s background and her ongoing philanthropy.