World’s Only Transgender Billionaire Gives $2M for University Chair

Image by Courtesy of Forbes

By JTA January 20, 2016

An American Jewish billionaire philanthropist in Chicago has donated $2 million to establish what is believed to be the first chair of transgender studies at a university.

Jennifer Pritzker, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who is believed to be the only transgender billionaire in the world, made the gift through her Tawani Foundation to the University of Victoria in British Columbia, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday.

Aaron Devor, a sociology professor who studies transgender issues and the founder of the University of Victoria’s Transgender Archives, will be the inaugural chair.

Pritzker’s foundation also supports U.S. military personnel and historiography, according to the Tribune.

Forbes has reported that Pritzker is worth $1.8 billion.

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