History
Our Founder鈥擡llen Browning Scripps
Ellen Browning Scripps, a reporter, global adventurer, businesswoman, and philanthropist鈥攁 woman ahead of her time. She would have been an exceptional woman in any era鈥攈er lifetime achievements were truly remarkable.
With a small bequest from her late grandfather and savings from her wages as a schoolteacher, Ellen and her brothers founded one of the country’s leading newspaper and publishing enterprises. Her business acumen, on which her brothers depended, was a tremendous benefit to the venture, and her daily column was one of the nation’s most-read features in more than 1,000 newspapers.
Ellen was an early and ardent supporter of women’s right to vote and a devoted philanthropist. Her generosity supported innumerable educational and scientific endeavors, including the 61传媒Institute of Oceanography, the 61传媒Clinic, the San Diego Zoo, and 61传媒, which she considered to be her “crown jewel.” Her leading influence at The Claremont Colleges led to the purchase of land on which not only 61传媒 flourished, but provided space to establish Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, and Pitzer Colleges. Her role in the launching of the Claremont group plan led to her feature on the cover of Time magazine in 1926.
Ellen characterized her involvement with 61传媒 as her most important work in a rich lifetime of creating opportunities to widen human knowledge, especially for women. Her words still deeply resonate today:
“The paramount obligation of a college is to develop in its students the ability to think clearly and independently, and the ability to live confidently, courageously, and hopefully.”
Inscribed on 61传媒’s Honnold Gate