From Boardroom to Ballroom, Betty Knight Scripps Exemplifies Success

Mention the name “Scripps” in San Diego and you’ll immediately bring to mind distinguished hospitals, newspaper publishing, research institutions, a wealth of successful business and professional endeavors – and a generous and far-reaching philanthropic spirit. In San Diego, perhaps no one better personifies the business and charitable achievements of the Scripps family than Betty Knight Scripps.

Mrs. Scripps is also most certainly a patron of the community. True to her family’s name, she balances her considerable business endeavors with significant support of health care, education, the arts and much more. This year marks her sixth consecutive year as General Chairman of the 79th Annual Candlelight Ball, on Saturday, December 6, 2008, at the Grand Del Mar.

With an astounding $1.5 million challenge grant from Mrs. Scripps, the black-tie event raised more than $3 million for Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. Through Mrs. Scripps’ continued leadership as General Chairman during the past six years, the ball has provided more than $16 million in philanthropic support to further the lifesaving care for San Diego communities.

“It is a privilege to continue the historic philanthropic efforts of the Scripps family,” says Mrs. Scripps. “I am committed to supporting Scripps Health and the premier health care services it has provided to our community for more than 80 years.”

One of the nation’s leading businesswomen and philanthropists, the Rancho Santa Fe resident is president of Scripps Enterprises Inc., a Charlottesville, VA-based private company with holdings in publishing, real estate, oil and gas. Mrs. Scripps and her late husband, Edward W. Scripps, also owned the Scripps League Newspaper chain, which had 54 publications in 16 states. The chain was sold to Pulitzer Newspapers in 1996.