Model, Historian and Socialite
Winifred Joyce Bennett, was a former Ford Modeling Agency model and historian who first introduced the possible genetic connection between Thomas Jefferson, the third US President, and the children of his slave, Sally Hemmings.Winifred Joyce was born in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from the prominent all girls' Dana Hall School of Wellesley, Massachusetts in 1953. She received her BA degree in Philosophy and Art History from Cornell University four years later. While at Cornell, Winifred served as president of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Upon graduation, she moved to New York where she was immediately chosen to become a contract model for the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency. Her beauty did not stop Winifred expressing her brain power. While modeling, she continued her education by pursuing a graduate degree in Philosophy and Art History at New York University. Winifred's intelligence soon became a magnet for the Meade Paper company of Dayton,Ohio,who invited her to write computer programs for many larger corporations. Winifred married Hunter M Bennett, Jr. in 1963 and began a 30 yr period of raising a family and participating in many organizations including the Tuesday Club Literary Society. Ms Bennett never lost her love of education and passed along that interest by offering her assistance with starting the first gifted children's program of Harrison County, West Virginia's school system. After a divorce from her husband, at age 58, Winifred again returned to teaching her own mind by enrolling in postgraduate studies at the University of Virginia. It was while she was in Virginia, Winifred became increasingly interested in the history of Monticello, the home of the Thomas Jefferson family. Ms. Bennett located Thomas Jefferson family decendants and researched their history thoroughly. In addition, using historical records from Monticello, Ms. Bennett confirmed that Thomas Jefferson shared the same roof with Sally Hemmings during the period when her son, Eston was conceived. She was amazed that no one had ever thought to genetically test the Jefferson heirs to determine if the family rumor of Sally Hemmings relationship with President Jefferson could be further substantiated. In 1996, using her friendly connections with Dr. Eugene Foster, a retired pathology professor of the University of Virginia, Ms. Bennett moved forward to attempt the DNA testing on her own. It was her thought that at the very least, her undertaking would produce a very interesting book if not proof of the genetic connection of Thomas Jefferson being the father to Sally Hemmings' children. Ms Bennett's book ideas came to an immediate derailment when an article relating all of the genetic link details, by Dr. Foster and seven others, appeared in the Nov. 5, 1998, journal issue of "Nature". Ms Bennett was not given credit of the study at that time, but at her death, it was reported by Dr Foster, "Winifred gets all the credit for originally having the idea of using DNA for this purpose." In 2000, a study by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation concluded that Thomas Jefferson "most likely was the father of all six" of Sally Hemings's children. The enormity of Ms. Bennett's studies can be seen within the vast amount of articles, books and films which were developed documenting the Thomas Jefferson , Sally Hemmings relationship. Winifred went on to participate in many national and local organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Patterson House renovation and renewal, the Washington Club, and Capital Speakers. She continued to enjoy reading, writing, and playing bridge in her Arlington, Virginia home with her daughter and grandchildren. Ms Bennett passed away in her home from Kidney failure at the age of 71.
Winifred Joyce Bennett, was a former Ford Modeling Agency model and historian who first introduced the possible genetic connection between Thomas Jefferson, the third US President, and the children of his slave, Sally Hemmings.Winifred Joyce was born in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from the prominent all girls' Dana Hall School of Wellesley, Massachusetts in 1953. She received her BA degree in Philosophy and Art History from Cornell University four years later. While at Cornell, Winifred served as president of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Upon graduation, she moved to New York where she was immediately chosen to become a contract model for the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency. Her beauty did not stop Winifred expressing her brain power. While modeling, she continued her education by pursuing a graduate degree in Philosophy and Art History at New York University. Winifred's intelligence soon became a magnet for the Meade Paper company of Dayton,Ohio,who invited her to write computer programs for many larger corporations. Winifred married Hunter M Bennett, Jr. in 1963 and began a 30 yr period of raising a family and participating in many organizations including the Tuesday Club Literary Society. Ms Bennett never lost her love of education and passed along that interest by offering her assistance with starting the first gifted children's program of Harrison County, West Virginia's school system. After a divorce from her husband, at age 58, Winifred again returned to teaching her own mind by enrolling in postgraduate studies at the University of Virginia. It was while she was in Virginia, Winifred became increasingly interested in the history of Monticello, the home of the Thomas Jefferson family. Ms. Bennett located Thomas Jefferson family decendants and researched their history thoroughly. In addition, using historical records from Monticello, Ms. Bennett confirmed that Thomas Jefferson shared the same roof with Sally Hemmings during the period when her son, Eston was conceived. She was amazed that no one had ever thought to genetically test the Jefferson heirs to determine if the family rumor of Sally Hemmings relationship with President Jefferson could be further substantiated. In 1996, using her friendly connections with Dr. Eugene Foster, a retired pathology professor of the University of Virginia, Ms. Bennett moved forward to attempt the DNA testing on her own. It was her thought that at the very least, her undertaking would produce a very interesting book if not proof of the genetic connection of Thomas Jefferson being the father to Sally Hemmings' children. Ms Bennett's book ideas came to an immediate derailment when an article relating all of the genetic link details, by Dr. Foster and seven others, appeared in the Nov. 5, 1998, journal issue of "Nature". Ms Bennett was not given credit of the study at that time, but at her death, it was reported by Dr Foster, "Winifred gets all the credit for originally having the idea of using DNA for this purpose." In 2000, a study by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation concluded that Thomas Jefferson "most likely was the father of all six" of Sally Hemings's children. The enormity of Ms. Bennett's studies can be seen within the vast amount of articles, books and films which were developed documenting the Thomas Jefferson , Sally Hemmings relationship. Winifred went on to participate in many national and local organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Patterson House renovation and renewal, the Washington Club, and Capital Speakers. She continued to enjoy reading, writing, and playing bridge in her Arlington, Virginia home with her daughter and grandchildren. Ms Bennett passed away in her home from Kidney failure at the age of 71.
Model, Historian and Socialite
Winifred Joyce Bennett, was a former Ford Modeling Agency model and historian who first introduced the possible genetic connection between Thomas Jefferson, the third US President, and the children of his slave, Sally Hemmings.Winifred Joyce was born in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from the prominent all girls' Dana Hall School of Wellesley, Massachusetts in 1953. She received her BA degree in Philosophy and Art History from Cornell University four years later. While at Cornell, Winifred served as president of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Upon graduation, she moved to New York where she was immediately chosen to become a contract model for the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency. Her beauty did not stop Winifred expressing her brain power. While modeling, she continued her education by pursuing a graduate degree in Philosophy and Art History at New York University. Winifred's intelligence soon became a magnet for the Meade Paper company of Dayton,Ohio,who invited her to write computer programs for many larger corporations. Winifred married Hunter M Bennett, Jr. in 1963 and began a 30 yr period of raising a family and participating in many organizations including the Tuesday Club Literary Society. Ms Bennett never lost her love of education and passed along that interest by offering her assistance with starting the first gifted children's program of Harrison County, West Virginia's school system. After a divorce from her husband, at age 58, Winifred again returned to teaching her own mind by enrolling in postgraduate studies at the University of Virginia. It was while she was in Virginia, Winifred became increasingly interested in the history of Monticello, the home of the Thomas Jefferson family. Ms. Bennett located Thomas Jefferson family decendants and researched their history thoroughly. In addition, using historical records from Monticello, Ms. Bennett confirmed that Thomas Jefferson shared the same roof with Sally Hemmings during the period when her son, Eston was conceived. She was amazed that no one had ever thought to genetically test the Jefferson heirs to determine if the family rumor of Sally Hemmings relationship with President Jefferson could be further substantiated. In 1996, using her friendly connections with Dr. Eugene Foster, a retired pathology professor of the University of Virginia, Ms. Bennett moved forward to attempt the DNA testing on her own. It was her thought that at the very least, her undertaking would produce a very interesting book if not proof of the genetic connection of Thomas Jefferson being the father to Sally Hemmings' children. Ms Bennett's book ideas came to an immediate derailment when an article relating all of the genetic link details, by Dr. Foster and seven others, appeared in the Nov. 5, 1998, journal issue of "Nature". Ms Bennett was not given credit of the study at that time, but at her death, it was reported by Dr Foster, "Winifred gets all the credit for originally having the idea of using DNA for this purpose." In 2000, a study by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation concluded that Thomas Jefferson "most likely was the father of all six" of Sally Hemings's children. The enormity of Ms. Bennett's studies can be seen within the vast amount of articles, books and films which were developed documenting the Thomas Jefferson , Sally Hemmings relationship. Winifred went on to participate in many national and local organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Patterson House renovation and renewal, the Washington Club, and Capital Speakers. She continued to enjoy reading, writing, and playing bridge in her Arlington, Virginia home with her daughter and grandchildren. Ms Bennett passed away in her home from Kidney failure at the age of 71.
Winifred Joyce Bennett, was a former Ford Modeling Agency model and historian who first introduced the possible genetic connection between Thomas Jefferson, the third US President, and the children of his slave, Sally Hemmings.Winifred Joyce was born in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from the prominent all girls' Dana Hall School of Wellesley, Massachusetts in 1953. She received her BA degree in Philosophy and Art History from Cornell University four years later. While at Cornell, Winifred served as president of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Upon graduation, she moved to New York where she was immediately chosen to become a contract model for the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency. Her beauty did not stop Winifred expressing her brain power. While modeling, she continued her education by pursuing a graduate degree in Philosophy and Art History at New York University. Winifred's intelligence soon became a magnet for the Meade Paper company of Dayton,Ohio,who invited her to write computer programs for many larger corporations. Winifred married Hunter M Bennett, Jr. in 1963 and began a 30 yr period of raising a family and participating in many organizations including the Tuesday Club Literary Society. Ms Bennett never lost her love of education and passed along that interest by offering her assistance with starting the first gifted children's program of Harrison County, West Virginia's school system. After a divorce from her husband, at age 58, Winifred again returned to teaching her own mind by enrolling in postgraduate studies at the University of Virginia. It was while she was in Virginia, Winifred became increasingly interested in the history of Monticello, the home of the Thomas Jefferson family. Ms. Bennett located Thomas Jefferson family decendants and researched their history thoroughly. In addition, using historical records from Monticello, Ms. Bennett confirmed that Thomas Jefferson shared the same roof with Sally Hemmings during the period when her son, Eston was conceived. She was amazed that no one had ever thought to genetically test the Jefferson heirs to determine if the family rumor of Sally Hemmings relationship with President Jefferson could be further substantiated. In 1996, using her friendly connections with Dr. Eugene Foster, a retired pathology professor of the University of Virginia, Ms. Bennett moved forward to attempt the DNA testing on her own. It was her thought that at the very least, her undertaking would produce a very interesting book if not proof of the genetic connection of Thomas Jefferson being the father to Sally Hemmings' children. Ms Bennett's book ideas came to an immediate derailment when an article relating all of the genetic link details, by Dr. Foster and seven others, appeared in the Nov. 5, 1998, journal issue of "Nature". Ms Bennett was not given credit of the study at that time, but at her death, it was reported by Dr Foster, "Winifred gets all the credit for originally having the idea of using DNA for this purpose." In 2000, a study by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation concluded that Thomas Jefferson "most likely was the father of all six" of Sally Hemings's children. The enormity of Ms. Bennett's studies can be seen within the vast amount of articles, books and films which were developed documenting the Thomas Jefferson , Sally Hemmings relationship. Winifred went on to participate in many national and local organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Patterson House renovation and renewal, the Washington Club, and Capital Speakers. She continued to enjoy reading, writing, and playing bridge in her Arlington, Virginia home with her daughter and grandchildren. Ms Bennett passed away in her home from Kidney failure at the age of 71.
Inscription
In Loving Memory
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
