Our Mission
The Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy is a community of scholars forming a national center for research, higher education, publications, and public programming, dedicated to promoting the history of World War II, the relationship between the war and America’s democratic system, and the war’s continued relevance for the world.
Values
Excellence: The Institute works to meet the highest standards of accuracy and quality in all of our programs and services.
Accessibility: The Institute brings together the academy, other WWII authorities, enthusiasts, and public audiences.
Relevance: The Institute educates, informs, and encourages those who want to understand the price of freedom and preserve our democratic heritage.
Vision
The Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy explores the war’s history and enduring legacies, and seeks to inspire civic engagement by:
- Becoming the preferred resource for audiences seeking fresh scholarship, public history, public programming, and commentary on World War II.
- Extending the reach of the Museum’s public programs and publications to larger national and international audiences.
- Sustaining a network of the world’s preeminent scholars and cultural leaders to promote and broaden the history, memories, and legacies of the war.
- Attracting new generations of Americans to study, research, and write about the American experience in World War II through fellowships, collections, Museum tours, lifelong learning, and additional outreach efforts.
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About the Institute’s Namesake
The National WWII Museum is grateful for Jenny Craig’s generous support of its historical scholarship and educational outreach, and we are proud to honor her legacy as an innovator, business leader, and trailblazer for women worldwide through the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy.
Best known for her successful career of over 50 years in the health and nutrition business, Jenny Craig is deeply committed to the military as well as sharing the history of World War II with the public.
As a child during World War II, Craig grew up in New Orleans hearing stories from her family members of the courageous men and women who served their country in the military. Her grandfather sustained injuries while serving in the Army during World War I, and her two brothers joined the Army and the Merchant Marine during World War II.
Her husband, Sid, served in the US Navy, and together they created the highly successful Jenny Craig organization, promoting fitness, health, and weight management.
Craig’s personal connections to the military fuel her passion for supporting the family members of those who serve and recognizing their sacrifices while their loved ones are deployed.
Craig is also a dedicated supporter of the advancement of women in business and in their personal endeavors. She has served as West Coast Chair for the Committee of 200, an organization of 200 top entrepreneurial women worldwide. Within the Jenny Craig organization, 90 percent of the employees are women, and top executives, including the CEO, are also women. Her admiration for women leaders extends to those who also serve in the military.
Craig is a patriot who believes in America and its abiding principles of liberty and democracy. She is a strong advocate for the men and women who fight to preserve our freedoms, and is helping ensure that the stories of the WWII generation will be forever preserved and shared through the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy.
"Everything We Have"
From the collections of The National WWII Museum, here are the personal stories of the people involved in Operation Overlord, in their own words, some for the first time.