ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS CO-FOUNDER LENNA FRANCES COOPER
A Pioneer in Vegetarian Nutrition and Dietetics
By John Westerdahl, PhD, MPH, RDN, FAND
As the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) celebrates its 100th anniversary, it is a good time to reflect on the Academy's rich history. It is a time to honor and recognize the visionary women who started this professional nutrition organization. One such woman was the Academy's co-founder Lenna Frances Cooper. In describing her character and dedication to the dietetic profession, the July 1965 Journal of The American Dietetic Association states, "This woman who accomplished so much in the field of applied nutrition and dietetics was slight of stature, quiet in voice, and gentle in manner, but she had the true spirit and courage of the pioneers. She had vision, steadfastness of purpose, high integrity, and a thirst for knowledge which she shared freely with her students and staff. Her warm personality and deep understanding of others made her an ideal teacher and dietitian and won friends wherever she went."
Lenna achieved much in her nutrition and dietetics career. To give structure and professionalism to the field of dietetics, she was the first to propose the formation of and co-founded the American Dietetic Association (now known as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) in 1917. She became the Academy's first vice president and later served as the fourteenth president in 1937. During World War I, she was the first Supervising Dietitian for the U.S. Army (1918-1919). In 1929, as a charter member, she became the first president of the Michigan Dietetic Association. Lenna served on the staff of the U.S. Surgeon General and created the Department of Dietetics at the National Institutes of Health. Her greatest renown came as senior author of Nutrition in Health and Disease, used as a textbook for 30 years in dietetic and nursing programs throughout the world.
Each year at FNCE (the conference of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics), the Academy recognizes and honors Lenna's legacy of leadership in nutrition and dietetics through the presentation of the Lenna Frances Cooper Memorial Lecture Award. This highly esteemed award is presented to a dedicated Academy member, notable and inspiring speaker, and role model who has made significant contributions to the profession of nutrition and dietetics. Still, few people are aware of Lenna's personal career background and history as a pioneer in the field of vegetarian nutrition and dietetics. Her study and career in foods and nutrition began with a focus and specialization in vegetarian nutrition.
In 1901, Lenna graduated in nursing from the Battle Creek Sanitarium (a Seventh-day Adventist health institution) in Battle Creek, Michigan. It was there that she became a protégé of the famed vegetarian physician, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, superintendent and medical director of the sanitarium. During the early part of the 20th century, the Battle Creek Sanitarium became world famous as a leading medical center, spa-like wellness institute, and grand hotel that attracted thousands of patients actively pursuing health and well-being. The sanitarium served only vegetarian meals to its patients and visitors.
Under the tutelage and inspiration of Dr. Kellogg and his wife, Ella Eaton Kellogg, Lenna first developed her love for the study of foods and their scientific preparation. Dr. Kellogg encouraged Lenna to study foods and food chemistry at the Drexel Institute in Philadelphia, where she excelled in her studies. Later, she received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Columbia University in New York City.
Dr. Kellogg appointed Lenna the Chief Dietitian of the Battle Creek Sanitarium and the Director and Dean of the Battle Creek Sanitarium School of Home Economics. Vegetarian nutrition and cooking were the foundation of the dietetics courses taught at the school under Lenna's supervision. More than 500 dietitians graduated from Battle Creek during her tenure. Lenna became a leading proponent for health care through diet and a pioneer in the field of vegetarian nutrition and dietetics. Lenna's first book, The New Cookery (Good Health Publishing, 1913), featured nutritionally balanced, attractive, and palatable vegetarian recipes, most of which were served at the Battle Creek Sanitarium. Many of these unique recipes incorporated the innovative nut-, wheat gluten-, and legume-based meat substitutes, whole-grain cereals, and other vegetarian food products that were originally created at the sanitarium. Working closely with Dr. Kellogg, Lenna developed the vegetarian cuisine/medical nutrition therapy menus that were served to the sanitarium's patients.
Because of her multifaceted talents and accomplishments in dietetics at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, Lenna's reputation as a leader in her field gradually became recognized on a national level. Those early days of training and experience working at Battle Creek gave her a strong foundation in nutritional science that paved the way to an illustrious career.
As the Academy begins its second century, we thank Lenna Frances Cooper for her vision and leadership as a cofounder of this professional organization. We also acknowledge her pioneering work in the field of vegetarian nutrition and dietetics. Today, scientific research continues to confirm that plant-based and vegetarian diets are an important nutritional approach to the prevention, treatment, and even the potential reversal of many of the chronic diseases facing the world today. Lenna was way ahead of her time.
References
Barber MI. 1961. Lenna Frances Cooper - February 25, 1875-February 23, 1961. J Am Diet Assoc. 38:458.
Cooper LF. 1913. The New Cookery. Battle Creek, MI: Good Health Publishing Co.
Editorial. 1951. 1951 Marjorie Hulsizer Copher award goes to Lenna Frances Cooper. J Am Diet Assoc. 27:1071-1072.
Food & Nutrition Magazine. September/October 2017. 55th Lenna Frances Cooper Memorial Lecture Award Recipient, p. 39.
Kellogg JH. 1923. The New Dietetics (2nd ed.) - A Guide to Scientific Feeding in Health and Disease. Battle Creek, MI: The Modern Medicine Publishing Co.
Michigan Women's Hall of Fame - Lenna Frances Cooper. www.michiganwomenshalloffame.org/Images/Cooper,%20Lenna%20Frances.pdf.
Schwartz R. 2006. John Harvey Kellogg, M.D. - Pioneering Health Reformer. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association.
Todhunter EN. 1965. Biographical notes from the history of nutrition: Lenna Frances Cooper - February 25, 1875-February 23, 1961. J Am Diet Assoc. 47:28.
John Westerdahl, PhD, MPH, RDN, FAND, is a Past Chair of the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. He is in private practice specializing in vegetarian nutrition and hosts a weekly national radio show, Health & Longevity, on the LifeTalk Radio Network.
