Betsy Devos

Betsy DeVos is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, and political figure known for her advocacy of school choice, school voucher programs, and charter schools. She served as the 11th United States Secretary of Education from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. Born Elisabeth Dee Prince on January 8, 1958, in Holland, Michigan, DeVos is the daughter of Edgar Prince, a wealthy industrialist, and Elsa Prince Broekhuizen. She grew up in a family deeply involved in the Christian Reformed community, which has significantly influenced her educational and political views.

Early Life and Education

Betsy DeVos was raised in Holland, Michigan, where she attended private schools, including the Holland Christian High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in business economics from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1979. During her time at Calvin, DeVos was involved in the campus political scene.

Career

Before her tenure as Secretary of Education, DeVos was actively involved in the Michigan Republican Party since the 1980s, serving in various capacities including as a local precinct delegate, a committeewoman for the party, and as chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party for several terms.

In addition to her political career, DeVos has been involved in the business world. She is the former chairwoman of the Windquest Group, a privately held investment management firm based in Michigan. Her business interests have spanned a range of sectors, including technology, manufacturing, and clean energy.

Philanthropy and Education Reform

DeVos has been a prominent advocate for education reform in the United States, focusing particularly on expanding school choice and charter school options for parents. Through the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation, which she co-founded with her husband, Dick DeVos, she has contributed millions of dollars to support educational causes, including scholarships for low-income families, the support of charter schools, and the promotion of school voucher programs that allow students to attend private schools with public funding.

Her advocacy work has extended to serving on the boards of several national and local organizations, including the Foundation for Excellence in Education, the American Federation for Children, and the Alliance for School Choice.

Secretary of Education

Nominated by President Donald Trump, DeVos was confirmed as Secretary of Education on February 7, 2017, after a contentious confirmation process that required Vice President Mike Pence to cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate, the first time in U.S. history this had occurred for a Cabinet nominee. During her tenure, DeVos focused on rolling back Obama-era policies on student loan debt, campus sexual assault, and for-profit college regulations. She was a staunch advocate for school choice, proposing significant increases in federal funding for charter schools and vouchers for private and religious schools.

Controversies

DeVos's tenure as Secretary of Education was marked by controversy, largely due to her support for policies that critics argued would undermine public education. Her lack of experience in public education, both as a student and as an administrator, was a point of contention. Additionally, her efforts to redirect public funds to private and charter schools through vouchers were met with significant opposition from teachers' unions and public school advocates.

Personal Life

Betsy DeVos is married to Dick DeVos, the former CEO of Amway and a member of the wealthy DeVos family. They have four children and are known for their philanthropic efforts, particularly in the areas of education, culture, and the arts.

Legacy

DeVos's legacy as Secretary of Education is mixed, with supporters lauding her commitment to expanding educational choice and critics arguing that her policies favored private over public education systems. Her tenure highlighted the deep divisions in American education policy and the ongoing debate over the role of government in education.