Since her appointment as the United States’ Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos has been featured in many media houses. Although the media focus on her contributions to the Trump’s campaigns and her family’s wealth, they forget to tell the full story of the American businessperson, activist, and philanthropist. With a rich history stretching back to January 8, 1958, Betsy has loads of achievements under her sleeves. The Republican member was raised in Michigan where she pursued her primary and high school educations. Betsy was born Elizabeth Prince to Elsa Prince and Edgar Prince. Her father, Edgar, is an industrialist billionaire and has Dutch ancestry. He is known for founding the Prince Corporation, a company that has provided employments to hundreds of Michigan residents and has helped in transforming the region. The company deals in automobile parts. Betsy DeVos schooled at the Holland Christian High School. The school is located in her hometown. Her good high school grades saw her join Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. According to the Philanthropy Magazine, Betsy was involved in campus politics during her study years at Calvin College. I believe that she was inspired to join politics at a tender age. Although she grew up as a member of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, Betsy is currently associated with Mars Hill Bible Church where she is also an elder. She is married to Richard Marvin ‘Dick’ DeVos Jr.
Mrs. DeVos is one of the America’s highest political donors. Her first significant donation was in 2004. She supported the re-election campaigns of President Bush. In 2008, President Bush also attended a Republican fundraiser organized at her home. Her active involvement in politics has seen the DeVos family donate more that $17 million to different candidates and committees. It is my opinion that these funds played an instrumental role in helping the Republican Party to reach out to more people and win the 2016 elections. During the elections, she initially supported the candidatures of Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, and Carly Fiorina through financial donations. Read more news on CNN.
I am particularly pleased with Betsy’s philanthropic efforts. Her earliest charity works was conducted through The Prince Foundation, a charity organization run by her family. Initially, the foundation was called Edgar and Elsa Prince Foundation. She is also a critical player in the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation. The organization was founded in 1989 to accelerate transformation and leverage support. The body is involved in justice, education, arts, leaders, and community. Since founding the organization, I believe that the couple has donated over $139 million to charity causes. In 2015, the foundation donated over $11.6 million. Other beneficiaries of Betsy Devos’s charity donations are Acton Institute, ArtPrize, and Kennedy Center. Between 2004 and 2010, she served as a director of Kennedy Center. President Bush appointed her to serve in this capacity. Betsy has donated over $22.5 million to the center. Visit their foundation at dbdvfoundation.org