TOPS - Fondly Looking Back

The History of TOPS Club

TOPS began in 1948 with four overweight housewives seated around a kitchen table at the Beulah Brinton Recreation Center in Milwaukee. The four ladies were Grace Messner, Verna Konings, Frances Eggers, and Ester S. Manz. Ester went on to develop, nurture and promote the newly formed organization known as TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly).

On April 9, 1951, she found herself in Life magazine. In only three short years TOPS grew to over 2,500 members in 43 chapters throughout the US.

In September of 1951, the first TOPS Board of Directors came into being. TOPS ended the year with chapters in all states, and a total membership over 6,000.

In 1955 TOPS chartered its first Canadian chapter in Hamilton, Ontario.

Today, 50 years later, the story continues with 11,640 chapters, and over 287,835 members. TOPS is a thriving organization that has never forgotten its roots!

Mandatory Disclaimer
This page was created by a TOPS member and is not an official TOPS Club, Inc.web site.