Biography
Ben Cohen — business (ben & jerry's) with roots in the Russian Empire
Ben Cohen co-founded Ben & Jerry's Homemade in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, building a global brand that embedded progressive activism into corporate identity. He pioneered the concept of values-led business, donating profits to social causes and championing campaign finance reform.
"Irving and Frances Cohen's families emigrated from the Russian Empire in the early 20th century."
Migration storyRussian Connection
Tracing the roots — Russia (Jewish)
Cohen's parents Irving and Frances were children of Jewish emigrants from the Russian Empire, part of the great Ashkenazi diaspora that fled poverty and pogroms.
Family Tree
Subject
Ben Cohen🇺🇸 USA
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Parents
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Origin
Russia (Jewish)🇷🇺 Russian Empire
Historical context
Russian Empire · c. 1721–1917
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Russia (Jewish). At the time, this region lay within the Russian Empire, which spanned from Poland to the Pacific.
Map: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Key Achievements
A career defined by ambition
01
Co-founded Ben & Jerry's Homemade 1978
02
Sold Ben & Jerry's to Unilever for $326 million 2000
03
Co-founded TrueMajority progressive advocacy organization 2001
04
Pioneered 1% corporate profits-to-charity model
05
Inducted into Junior Achievement US Business Hall of Fame
Sources