Born: 1935 (New York City)
Died: 2011
Jean Webster (January 7, 1935 – January 10, 2011) was an American cook who operated Sister Jean’s Kitchen, a soup kitchen in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She dedicated her life to serving the poor and needy, providing hot meals to hundreds of people each day.
Born in New York City in 1935, Jean Webster moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey, at a young age. She was only four or five years old when her father changed jobs, and the family relocated. Growing up in a household with five sisters and three brothers, Jean quickly learned the importance of hard work and supporting her family.
Driven by her passion for cooking, Jean attended culinary school after completing her education. Even before graduating, she took on side jobs to help with her family’s finances. At a young age, she began working as a cook in nursing homes. Her dedication and skill in the kitchen soon became evident, and she gained valuable experience.
At the age of 18, Jean landed a job as a dish-washer at the kitchen of the Marlborough-Blenheim Hotel. It was there that she met a chef who would become her mentor, teaching her the art of cooking. This experience laid the foundation for her future career in the culinary world.
In the decades that followed, Atlantic City underwent significant changes with the legalization and expansion of casinos in the 1970s and 1980s. Jean seized the opportunity and worked in various casinos as a sous-chef, becoming one of the first black female sous-chefs in Atlantic City.
Her employers included prestigious establishments such as the Playboy Hotel and Casino, Caesars Atlantic City, Atlantis Hotel and Casino, and the Trump Taj Mahal. Jean’s culinary expertise and work ethic earned her recognition and respect within the industry.
Unfortunately, Jean’s career came to an early end in 1991. She retired from the Taj Mahal due to health issues related to a heart condition that led to angina and other complications. However, this setback did not deter her from pursuing her true calling.
In 1986, Jean had a fateful encounter with a homeless man that changed her life forever. Moved by his plight, she bought him a meal at a nearby pizza restaurant and invited him to her home for dinner the next day. Deeply touched by this experience, Jean felt called by God to feed people in need.
With unwavering determination, she started Sister Jean’s Kitchen, initially serving meals out of her own home. Word quickly spread throughout the Atlantic City community, and lines formed outside her residence. Despite working full-time at the Taj Mahal, Jean committed nearly all her free time to cooking for those in need.
By the early stages of her mission, Jean was already feeding around 100 regular attendees two meals a day. Her dedication and generosity soon caught the attention of the broader community, and her operation expanded. Eventually, Sister Jean’s Kitchen moved to the Victory First Presbyterian Deliverance Church, where it served over 400 people each day with hot meals.
Jean’s selflessness and tireless efforts to help the less fortunate earned her widespread admiration and respect. She became a beacon of hope and a symbol of compassion in Atlantic City. Her charitable work played a significant role in alleviating hunger and providing comfort to those in need.
Jean Webster passed away on January 10, 2011, leaving behind a legacy of selflessness and compassion. Her impact on the community and her dedication to feeding the hungry continue to inspire others to this day. Jean’s contributions to society, particularly in the realm of social welfare, make her a notable figure in women’s history.