Honoring a Life of Impact:
Dorothy Ginsberg Lemelson
Dorothy “Dolly” Ginsberg Lemelson (1926-2021) was the North Star for the Lemelson family and The Lemelson Foundation.
She co-founded the Foundation with her husband Jerome “Jerry” Lemelson, a prolific inventor with over 600 U.S. patents to his name. After Jerry’s passing in 1997, Dolly continued to grow the Foundation’s impact with her sons Eric and Robert — with a particular focus on expanding its work globally.
Until 2018, she served in many capacities at the Foundation, including President and Chair of the Board. The value she placed on education and equity of opportunity is today reflected in the Foundation’s support for K-12 invention education, and its commitment to helping people reach their full potential, no matter their background.
She once remarked on what she hoped the legacy and impact of the Foundation she created with Jerry would be: “I would like the Foundation to instill in every person that creating is the most energizing thing you can do — and working to produce a change in the world is a divine thing.”
Dolly was also a successful entrepreneur and interior designer throughout her life, bringing a sense of inimitable style and warmth to the Foundation and to everything she touched.
On May 11, we would have celebrated her 100th birthday. In honor of her life and impact, we are reflecting on her influence on the Foundation, work as a businesswoman, and passion for helping underserved populations.