Flora Lamson Hewlett

Flora Lamson Hewlett was a renowned philanthropist and trustee of Stanford University, known for her generous contributions to various institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley and the Carnegie Institution for Science. She was the wife of William Redington Hewlett, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard, and played a significant role in supporting the Silicon Valley community. Her philanthropic efforts were often focused on Stanford Hospital and the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, reflecting her commitment to improving healthcare in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was also a strong supporter of the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera.

● Early Life and Education

Flora Lamson Hewlett was born in Oakland, California, and grew up in a family that valued education and philanthropy, similar to the Rockefeller family and the Carnegie family. She attended Stanford University, where she met her future husband, William Redington Hewlett, who was studying electrical engineering alongside David Packard. During her time at Stanford University, she was exposed to the works of Jane Stanford and Leland Stanford, who founded the university, and was inspired by their philanthropic efforts. She also developed an interest in the arts, particularly the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera, which she would later support through her philanthropy.

● Career

As a trustee of Stanford University, Flora Lamson Hewlett played a crucial role in shaping the institution's academic programs and research initiatives, often working closely with Stanford University School of Medicine and the Stanford University School of Engineering. She was a strong advocate for women's education and supported the establishment of the Stanford University Center for Research on Women, which was inspired by the work of Betty Friedan and the National Organization for Women. Her career was also marked by her involvement with the Hewlett-Packard Company, where she worked alongside her husband, William Redington Hewlett, and David Packard to promote the company's community outreach programs, including partnerships with the United Way and the American Red Cross. She was also a member of the Silicon Valley community, often attending events at the Computer History Museum and the Tech Museum of Innovation.

● Philanthropy

Flora Lamson Hewlett's philanthropic efforts were focused on supporting education, healthcare, and the arts in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was a major donor to Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, and the Carnegie Institution for Science, and also supported the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and Stanford Hospital. Her philanthropy was inspired by the work of Andrew Carnegie and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, as well as the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. She was also a supporter of the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera, and was a member of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the de Young Museum. Her philanthropic efforts were recognized by the National Philanthropic Trust and the Council on Foundations, and she was awarded the Stanford University Medal for her contributions to the university.

● Personal Life

Flora Lamson Hewlett was married to William Redington Hewlett, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard, and had five children, including Walter Hewlett and Eleanor Hewlett Gimon. She was a member of the Palo Alto community and was involved in various local organizations, including the Palo Alto Art Center and the Palo Alto Children's Theatre. She was also a strong supporter of the Girl Scouts of the USA and the Boy Scouts of America, and was a member of the Junior League of Palo Alto. Her personal life was marked by her commitment to her family and her community, and she was often seen attending events at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.

● Legacy

Flora Lamson Hewlett's legacy is reflected in the numerous institutions and organizations that she supported throughout her life, including Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, and the Carnegie Institution for Science. She was a pioneering philanthropist who paved the way for future generations of women in philanthropy, including Melinda Gates and Priscilla Chan. Her contributions to the San Francisco Bay Area community have had a lasting impact, and she is remembered as a dedicated supporter of education, healthcare, and the arts. The Flora Family Foundation, established by her family, continues to support her philanthropic efforts, and her legacy is also recognized by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, which was established by her husband, William Redington Hewlett. She is also remembered as a strong supporter of the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera, and her legacy continues to inspire new generations of philanthropists, including Mark Zuckerberg and Laurene Powell Jobs. Category:American philanthropists