Harriett Blaisdell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Harriett Barcroft Blaisdell September 27, 1924 |
| Other names | Harriett Blaisdell Wick Harriett B. Wick Harriet Blaisdell |
| Education | Bradford High School Connecticut College |
| Alma mater | Katherine Gibbs Business Academy |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1978 – present |
| Spouse | Robert Wick (m. 1942;died 1997) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent | George G. Blaisdell (father) |
| Relatives | Sarah Blaisdell Dorn (sister) Brett Madden (granddaughter) |
Harriett Blaisdell (born 27 September 1924) is an American heiress, businesswoman, teacher and philanthropist. [1] She is a daughter of George G. Blaisdell, the founder of the Zippo Manufacturing Company, and a significant benefactor to educational and community causes in Bradford, Pennsylvania. [2] [3]
Harriett Blaisdell was born in September 1924 to George G. Blaisdell and Miriam Barcroft Blaisdell. She grew up in Bradford, Pennsylvania, where her father founded Zippo in the early 1930s. [4] She graduated from Bradford High School in 1945. She pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Connecticut College, followed by a diploma from the Katharine Gibbs Business Academy in New York City.[ citation needed ]
Wick, along with her sister Sarah B. Dorn, grew up around the family business and was involved in Zippo operations for years. [3] Upon the death of her father in 1978, ownership of the privately held Zippo Manufacturing Company passed to Harriett Wick and Sarah Dorn. [3] They both served on the company's Board of Directors. [5] [6] While they did not wish to run the company's daily operations, they maintained ownership through the 1980s and 1990s as the business expanded its global reach and appealed to collectors. [3] Eventually, the Wick family's shares were acquired by the Dorn family branch, with her nephew, George B. Duke, becoming the sole family owner and chairman of the board. [3]
Harriett is a notable benefactor to civic and educational institutions in the Bradford area. [2] A large portion of her philanthropy has been directed toward the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (Pitt-Bradford). [2] Through the Blaisdell Foundation, which was established by her father in 1950, Wick helped establish scholarship funds, including the Miriam Barcroft Blaisdell Scholarship, which supports 65 students annually. [1] [7] In 1995, she and other family members provided a significant $1.5 million challenge gift that facilitated the construction of Blaisdell Hall on campus. [8] Harriett and her sister established scholarship funds in honor of their mother, Miriam Barcroft Blaisdell. [1]
The Harriett B. Wick Chapel was made in her honor. [1] The beautiful non-denominational chapel on the Pitt-Bradford campus was named and dedicated in her honor in 2010, recognizing her long-standing support and contributions to the university. [1] Like her sister, Harriett has served on the boards of multiple charitable organizations supporting health, welfare, social, and leisure programs around Bradford. [2]
In recognition of her community work and philanthropy, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Pitt-Bradford in 1993 and was inducted into the University of Pittsburgh's prestigious Cathedral of Learning Society in 2005. [1] [2]
Harriett Blaisdell was married to Robert Wick. [2] They have two children, D. Blaise Wick and Barbara Wick Kearney. [9] Her husband, Robert H. Wick, was also involved with the university, serving on its advisory board. [2] She lives in the Bradford area and celebrated her 100th birthday in September 27, 2024. Brett Madden an actress and voice actress is her granddaughter. [9]
The chapel at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is named in her honor. [10] The chapel is a non-denominational space used for quiet reflection, weddings, musical performances, and other events. [1]
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Title | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Pitt-Bradford | Presidential Medal of Freedom | Won | Philanthropy | [2] |