Learners read and reflect on the meaning of democracy. They discuss and explore examples of participatory democracy in history. They read quotes from Founding Fathers and relate them to philanthropy and civic engagement.
In this lesson, learners read primary documents that illustrate the motivations of the founding fathers of the United States related to philanthropy (government by the people, advocacy, civil rights, shared power). We have a long history of demanding civil rights for a population that was discriminated against or underserved.
Biographical Highlights
Born in Ionia, Michigan, in 1922, Harvey Lemmen went on to earn an MBA from the University of Michigan. He went to work for Meijer, Inc. in 1949, retiring...
Biographical Highlights
The son of Steelcase founder, Peter Martin Wege, Peter Melvin Wege was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1920. After college and World War II service, he made his career at...
Biographical Highlights
Fred Meijer was born in 1919 and began working in his father’s grocery store at the age of fourteen. After high school, Fred joined his father fulltime in the business. In 1946...
Biographical Highlights
Born into a prominent Grand Rapids, Michigan, family in 1931, John Hunting pursued an interest in education, psychology, and performance art as a young adult. With a degree in...
Biographical Highlights
Ralph Hauenstein lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from the age of twelve. He graduated from Central High School in 1931 and began his career at the Grand Rapids Press. Joining...
Biographical Highlights
Earl Holton started as a clerk in the Greenville, Michigan, Meijer store and retired as president of Meijer, Inc. His wife, Donnalee, volunteered through Butterworth Hospital...
Biographical Highlights
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1926, Richard DeVos is a product of the Great Depression and World War II. An ambitious entrepreneur during the post war boom...
Biographical Highlights
Both Delores and Jacob Robinson were children during the Great Depression. Their families struggled to make ends meet. Their families grew vegetable gardens...