“This is what you shall do; Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body.” ~Walt Whitman
Nell Newman; Growing up with a pinch of mom and dad
Elinor Teresa Newman is a former child actress who performed under the name of Nell Potts, is an environmentalist, biologist, and a prominent supporter of sustainable agriculture, who became an entrepreneur when she founded an organic food and pet food production company, Newman’s Own Organics.
Born in New York City, she is the eldest child of actress Joanne Woodward and the late actor, businessman, and philanthropist Paul Newman. She is a graduate of The Putney School in Putney, Vermont, and attended the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, from which she graduated in 1987.
Following her education in human ecology at the College of the Atlantic, she worked for fundraising institutions until 1993, when she founded Newman’s Own Organics using the same ideals she’d learned from her father regarding philanthropy.
What are some of your best memories you have of growing up?
One of my favorite memories was going fishing with my dad; it was a special time we shared together. We continued to go fishing even when I got older. I also loved cooking with my mother; we had such a good time.
Do you have children or pets?
No children, but I have some chickens! When I was growing up we always had dogs, cats and various other pets including a skunk.
Do you have an iPad or iPhone?
I have an iPad, which I reluctantly gave into because I travel so much.
What are your favorite things to do to relax?
I love to surf, garden, hike, and fish. I also enjoy wandering around the farmers’ market.
Do you have a favorite author?
One of my favorite authors is the late Edward Abbey, a noted author, and essayist known for his advocacy of environmental issues. His non-fiction book “Desert Solitaire” was very special to me when I read it.
Do you have a favorite musician or type of music that you enjoy listening to?
I enjoy a range of music from classical to music of today. A particular favorite is Marin Saxton, who has an amazing voice.
What do you like to watch on TV if anything?
I enjoy watching the BBC news; the Iron Chef and Tony Bourdain’s shows.
Do you prefer to be out of the spotlight and why?
I prefer to be out of the spotlight, particularly where I live. It’s necessary though, when it comes to marketing Newman’s Own Organics products, as well as talking about the issues that are important to me.
Did you realize as a child, that your parents were famous?
Yes, people treated us differently when we were out with our parents. Also, we could tell which children knew we had famous parents because their parents would obviously tell them. It was very difficult to tell who were your real friends.
How did you manage to stay so grounded with famous parents?
Lots of practice and our parents tried to give us as normal a life as possible.
Your parents had a real love of cooking; did they pass that along to you?
Definitely. Both dad and mom are excellent cooks in their own right and I learned a good deal from them both. Dad used to take me to the seasonal farm stands near our home in CT. I’m often the designated cook at holiday dinners.
What’s the best advice you have for someone who wants to live an organic lifestyle?
Please be mindful of your choices and the implications they have environmentally and on others.
What is your wish for the coming year?
Find a balance between work and daily life.
What projects are you currently working on?
Exploring possible new products. I also sit on three foundation boards: AllergyKids, Eco-Trust, and Wholesome Waves and have commitments to them.
“As the daughter of Paul Newman, I was in essence, raised to be a philanthropist. The Nell Newman Foundation seeks to follow the original mission of my father’s philanthropy. To support the small, visionary, and perhaps untested organizations. To fund the underdogs, and unpopular ideas my father and mother originally championed. To relieve human suffering and sustain a resilient economy that will benefit humanity and the ecosystem into the future. These goals necessitate the fostering of experiential learning for our youth, the protection of and restoration of our bioregions.”
Visit Nell Newman’s Foundation
