Lila Bell Wallace
Encyclopedia
Lila Bell Wallace was a United States magazine
publisher.
Born as Lila Bell Acheson, her father was a Presbyterian minister who brought his family to the USA when she was a child, and she grew up in the Midwest. She graduated from the University of Oregon
(1917), taught at schools for two years, and then worked for the Young Women's Christian Association
.
In 1921 she married DeWitt Wallace
, with whom she co-founded
Reader's Digest
; they published the first issue in 1922.
The Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Writers Award was endowed in her memory.
On January 28, 1972, she was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom
by President Richard Nixon
. In 1992, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts
.
She died of heart failure after making philanthropic contributions estimated at $60 million.
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
publisher.
Born as Lila Bell Acheson, her father was a Presbyterian minister who brought his family to the USA when she was a child, and she grew up in the Midwest. She graduated from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
(1917), taught at schools for two years, and then worked for the Young Women's Christian Association
Young Women's Christian Association
Young Women's Christian Association or YWCA or YWCA Building or Old YWCA Building or variations may refer to:*World YWCA, the organization formerly known as Young Women's Christian Associationor it may refer to:...
.
In 1921 she married DeWitt Wallace
DeWitt Wallace
DeWitt Wallace , also known as William Roy was a United States magazine publisher. He co-founded Reader's Digest with his wife Lila Wallace and published the first issue in 1922.Born in St...
, with whom she co-founded
Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest is a general interest family magazine, published ten times annually. Formerly based in Chappaqua, New York, its headquarters is now in New York City. It was founded in 1922, by DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace...
; they published the first issue in 1922.
The Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Writers Award was endowed in her memory.
On January 28, 1972, she was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
by President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
. In 1992, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts
National Medal of Arts
The National Medal of Arts is an award and title created by the United States Congress in 1984, for the purpose of honoring artists and patrons of the arts. It is the highest honor conferred to an individual artist on behalf of the people. Honorees are selected by the National Endowment for the...
.
She died of heart failure after making philanthropic contributions estimated at $60 million.
External links
- http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9522441
- http://www.nndb.com/people/837/000043708/