Deborah Szekely (néeShainman, born May 3, 1922) is an American activist, philanthropist, and cookbook writer active in Southern California. She was named the "Godmother of Wellness" by theHuffington Post.[1] Szekely founded the New Americans Museum inLiberty Station.[2] She is apescetarian and advocate ofplant-based nutrition.[3][4]
Szekely was the daughter ofJewish immigrants.[5] Her mother was a past vice-president of the New York Vegetarian Society.[6] Szekely worked as an assistant toEdmond Bordeaux Szekely.[7] They were married in 1939.[8][9] In 1940, the couple opened a camp inTecate,Baja California,Mexico, which they named Rancho la Puerta, where they could explore and test their ideas.[6] The couple had two children, Alexander and Sarah Livia.[7]
She founded (COMBO), Combined Arts and Education Council of San Diego County in 1978, which has raised over $25 million to support 21 cultural organizations. In 1978, COMBO raised over $6 million to rebuild the Old Globe Theatre.[11] Szekely was a U.S. Diplomat and the head of theInter-American Foundation from 1984 to 1990.[12]
In 1982, she ran for theUnited States House of Representatives as a Republican for the newly created 43rd Congressional District.[citation needed] She finished a close fourth place in the primary, slightly behind former professional football playerBill McColl,Carlsbad MayorRon Packard, and wealthy businessman Johnnie Crean. Crean won the primary by a very narrow margin.[13]
In 2014, Szekely was inducted into the San Diego County Women's Hall of Fame by theWomen's Museum of California, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Women's Center at UC San Diego, and the Department of Women's Studies at San Diego State University.[14]
Szekely has been a pescetarian since her childhood and preferswhole foods.[15][16] She supports tree planting.[17] Szekelyturned 100 on May 3, 2022.[18]
