Pleasant Rowland
Encyclopedia
Pleasant Rowland is an American
educator, writer
, entrepreneur
and philanthropist
. Rowland is best known for creating the American Girl
brand. She is also notable for her efforts to redevelop historic properties in Aurora, New York
, where she created a partnership with her alma mater Wells College
.
She has been married to Jerome Frautschi since 1977. He runs the family-owned Webcrafters book publishing company.
area and grew up in Bannockburn
, a suburb north of Chicago. She has three sisters and a brother. Her sister Barbara Whitney Carr is president of the Chicago Horticultural Society. Her father was Edward Thiele, a Chicago advertising executive who eventually became president of the Leo Burnett
ad agency.
After graduating from Wells College
in 1962, Rowland embarked on the first of several careers. From 1962 to 1968, she was a schoolteacher in several states. She was a news reporter and anchor for ABC affiliate station KGO-TV
from 1968 to 1971.
Rowland left that industry to pursue a career as a textbook writer. For several years she was involved in writing and publishing children's textbooks. She was also the publisher of the Children's Magazine Guide. In the 1970s, Rowland created a comprehensive language arts program, called Beginning to Read, Write, and Listen. It was informally known as the "letterbooks", and designed to be used for kindergarten and first grade students. Through the years the program has undergone several revisions and updates.
" dolls, books and accessories. Rowland was inspired to create the American Girl brand because of her longstanding interest in history. A visit to Colonial Williamsburg
led her to think that young girls might become interested in history through identifying with dolls based on historic periods. Each doll is designed with a story that places it in a specific historical time period. Books, clothing and other accessories are marketed separately for each doll.
The company's growth was rapid as it added dolls, books, clothing for dolls and girls, and numerous other accessories, such as dollhouses and children's furniture. In marketing synergy, her company created stores in major cities, events, and films planned around the dolls and their accessories. For instance, parents may pay to reserve space at stores for American Girl parties for their daughters and friends. Stores have public restaurants where mothers and daughters can have tea or other meals.
In 1998 Rowland sold the Pleasant Company (now American Girl) to Mattel
for $700 million. Based in Middleton, Wisconsin
, the company reached $350 million in sales in 2001. As of 2008, it is second in U.S. sales only to those of the Barbie doll.
In 2001 Rowland purchased bankrupt MacKenzie-Childs
, based in Aurora, NY. After Rowland restructured her management team in 2006 MacKenzie-Childs became profitable. In 2008 Rowland sold MacKenzie-Childs to Lee Feldman and Howard Cohen - part owners of Twin Lakes Capital.
In 2004 Rowland founded Rowland Reading Foundation
to promote the Rowland Reading Program.
September 22, 2010 received Honorary Doctoral Degree of Humane Letters from Edgewood College in Madison Wisconsin.
. Frautschi is from the Madison area, where his family has been based there for several generations.
They have made substantial contributions to Madison; together, they made one of the largest single contributions, a $205 million gift to build the Overture Center
for the Arts, Madison's performing arts and civic center. Originally, their donation was anonymous; later, the donor was revealed to be Jerome Frautschi. (Frautschi is said to have wholly financed the project with his personal funds from the sale of his stock in American Girl.)
, New York
. Rowland's foundation joined forces with her alma mater, Wells College
, to create the Aurora Foundation, which temporarily managed a number of college-owned buildings and businesses in Aurora with the intent to restore the area. (All are in a National Historic Register District.)
Rowland's project drew criticism and concern. A local grass-roots organization, The Aurora Coalition, was formed. Other organizations also joined the group's lawsuit against one of the historic projects, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation
. The state Preservation League joined with these groups and filed a lawsuit to suspend the redevelopment project. The intent was to conduct the state-required comprehensive public review and environmental impact study of Rowland's development project. denied the request for injunction
by author J. Robert Lennon
appeared affected by the local controversy. His satire was inspired by events in Aurora, but characters and situations were clearly separate. In May 2006, W. W. Norton
, which had been slated to release Lennon's novel, decided not to publish the book. Harper's Magazine
published the novel in serial form in 2007.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
educator, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. Rowland is best known for creating the American Girl
American Girl (company)
American Girl is an American line of 18-inch dolls released in 1986 by Pleasant Company. The dolls portray ten-year-old girls of a variety of ethnicities living in various times throughout American history. They are sold with accompanying books told from the viewpoint of the girls...
brand. She is also notable for her efforts to redevelop historic properties in Aurora, New York
Aurora, Cayuga County, New York
Aurora is a village and college town in Cayuga County, in the Town of Ledyard, north of Ithaca, New York, United States. The village had a population of 720 at the 2000 census, of which more than 400 were college students....
, where she created a partnership with her alma mater Wells College
Wells College
Wells College is a private coeducational liberal arts college located in Aurora, Cayuga County, New York, on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. Initially an all-women's institution, Wells became a co-ed college in Fall 2005....
.
She has been married to Jerome Frautschi since 1977. He runs the family-owned Webcrafters book publishing company.
Early life and early career
Rowland was born in the ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
area and grew up in Bannockburn
Bannockburn, Illinois
Bannockburn is a village in West Deerfield and Vernon townships of Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,429 at the 2000 census...
, a suburb north of Chicago. She has three sisters and a brother. Her sister Barbara Whitney Carr is president of the Chicago Horticultural Society. Her father was Edward Thiele, a Chicago advertising executive who eventually became president of the Leo Burnett
Leo Burnett Worldwide
Leo Burnett Worldwide is an American advertising company, created in 1935 by Leo Burnett. The company was opened in Chicago in 1935. In 1950 the company started its two first major advertising projects, for Kellogg’s and P&G....
ad agency.
After graduating from Wells College
Wells College
Wells College is a private coeducational liberal arts college located in Aurora, Cayuga County, New York, on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. Initially an all-women's institution, Wells became a co-ed college in Fall 2005....
in 1962, Rowland embarked on the first of several careers. From 1962 to 1968, she was a schoolteacher in several states. She was a news reporter and anchor for ABC affiliate station KGO-TV
KGO-TV
KGO-TV, channel 7, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, based in San Francisco, California...
from 1968 to 1971.
Rowland left that industry to pursue a career as a textbook writer. For several years she was involved in writing and publishing children's textbooks. She was also the publisher of the Children's Magazine Guide. In the 1970s, Rowland created a comprehensive language arts program, called Beginning to Read, Write, and Listen. It was informally known as the "letterbooks", and designed to be used for kindergarten and first grade students. Through the years the program has undergone several revisions and updates.
Career
In 1986 Rowland founded the Pleasant Company, which manufactures the "American GirlAmerican Girl
American Girl is a line of dolls, books, and accessories.American Girl may also refer to:* American Girl , a magazine published by the American Girl company* American Girl , a 2002 American film...
" dolls, books and accessories. Rowland was inspired to create the American Girl brand because of her longstanding interest in history. A visit to Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is the private foundation representing the historic district of the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The district includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780 which made colonial Virginia's capital. The capital straddled the boundary of the original shires of Virginia —...
led her to think that young girls might become interested in history through identifying with dolls based on historic periods. Each doll is designed with a story that places it in a specific historical time period. Books, clothing and other accessories are marketed separately for each doll.
The company's growth was rapid as it added dolls, books, clothing for dolls and girls, and numerous other accessories, such as dollhouses and children's furniture. In marketing synergy, her company created stores in major cities, events, and films planned around the dolls and their accessories. For instance, parents may pay to reserve space at stores for American Girl parties for their daughters and friends. Stores have public restaurants where mothers and daughters can have tea or other meals.
In 1998 Rowland sold the Pleasant Company (now American Girl) to Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
for $700 million. Based in Middleton, Wisconsin
Middleton, Wisconsin
Middleton is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. It is a western suburb of the state capital, Madison but it was actually founded before Madison. It got its name from Middletown, Connecticut; the "w" being dropped was due to a paper work error made by long time historian Edward Kromrey...
, the company reached $350 million in sales in 2001. As of 2008, it is second in U.S. sales only to those of the Barbie doll.
In 2001 Rowland purchased bankrupt MacKenzie-Childs
MacKenzie-Childs
MacKenzie-Childs is a manufacturer of furniture and ceramics based in Aurora, New York founded by Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs.The company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and in 2001 Pleasant Rowland, founder of American Girl, purchased the bankrupt MacKenzie-Childs...
, based in Aurora, NY. After Rowland restructured her management team in 2006 MacKenzie-Childs became profitable. In 2008 Rowland sold MacKenzie-Childs to Lee Feldman and Howard Cohen - part owners of Twin Lakes Capital.
In 2004 Rowland founded Rowland Reading Foundation
Rowland Reading Foundation
Rowland Reading Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Middleton, Wisconsin. Founded by Pleasant Rowland in 2004, it promotes the Rowland Reading Program, including Superkids Reading Program and Happily Ever After, a reading readiness program....
to promote the Rowland Reading Program.
September 22, 2010 received Honorary Doctoral Degree of Humane Letters from Edgewood College in Madison Wisconsin.
Philanthropy
Rowland and husband Jerome Frautschi are major philanthropists in Madison, WisconsinMadison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. Frautschi is from the Madison area, where his family has been based there for several generations.
They have made substantial contributions to Madison; together, they made one of the largest single contributions, a $205 million gift to build the Overture Center
Overture Center
Overture Center for the Arts is a performing arts center and art gallery in Madison, Wisconsin, which replaced the Civic Center. The center was commissioned by Jerome Frautschi, designed by Cesar Pelli, and built by J.H. Findorff and Son. Flad Architects and Potter Lawson led the project as...
for the Arts, Madison's performing arts and civic center. Originally, their donation was anonymous; later, the donor was revealed to be Jerome Frautschi. (Frautschi is said to have wholly financed the project with his personal funds from the sale of his stock in American Girl.)
Aurora
Rowland is a central and controversial figure in an ongoing debate about preservation and development related to the village of AuroraAurora, Cayuga County, New York
Aurora is a village and college town in Cayuga County, in the Town of Ledyard, north of Ithaca, New York, United States. The village had a population of 720 at the 2000 census, of which more than 400 were college students....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Rowland's foundation joined forces with her alma mater, Wells College
Wells College
Wells College is a private coeducational liberal arts college located in Aurora, Cayuga County, New York, on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. Initially an all-women's institution, Wells became a co-ed college in Fall 2005....
, to create the Aurora Foundation, which temporarily managed a number of college-owned buildings and businesses in Aurora with the intent to restore the area. (All are in a National Historic Register District.)
Rowland's project drew criticism and concern. A local grass-roots organization, The Aurora Coalition, was formed. Other organizations also joined the group's lawsuit against one of the historic projects, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation...
. The state Preservation League joined with these groups and filed a lawsuit to suspend the redevelopment project. The intent was to conduct the state-required comprehensive public review and environmental impact study of Rowland's development project. denied the request for injunction
Happyland
Publication of the novel HappylandHappyland (novel)
Happyland is satirical novel written by J. Robert Lennon about a town in upstate New York that is taken over by a doll maker. Some have interpreted the plot as an account of American Girl founder Pleasant Rowland's attempt to develop the village of Aurora, Cayuga County, New York, into a quaint...
by author J. Robert Lennon
J. Robert Lennon
John Robert Lennon is an American novelist, short story writer, musician and composer.Lennon was raised in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. He earned a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.F.A. from the University of Montana...
appeared affected by the local controversy. His satire was inspired by events in Aurora, but characters and situations were clearly separate. In May 2006, W. W. Norton
W. W. Norton
W. W. Norton & Company is an independent American book publishing company based in New York City. It is well known for its "Norton Anthologies", particularly the Norton Anthology of English Literature and the "Norton Critical Editions" series of texts which are frequently assigned in university...
, which had been slated to release Lennon's novel, decided not to publish the book. Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine is a monthly magazine of literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts, with a generally left-wing perspective. It is the second-oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the U.S. . The current editor is Ellen Rosenbush, who replaced Roger Hodge in January 2010...
published the novel in serial form in 2007.