- Betsy DeVos
Elisabeth "Betsy" DeVos is the former chairman of the Republican Party in the
U.S. state ofMichigan and wife of formerAlticor (Amway ) presidentDick DeVos , the 2006 Republican candidate for governor of Michigan.Current and former leadership positions
Source: Mediamouse.org [cite web | url=http://www.mediamouse.org/resources/right.php?personId=4 | title= The Far Right in West Michigan: Betsy DeVos | date=2006-09-01 | accessdate=2006-09-28 | work=Mediamouse.org]
*Acton Institute , former Board of Directors
* Advocates for School Choice, Board
* American Council of Young Political Leaders, Board of Trustees, 1995 to present
* American Education Reform Council, Board of Directors, 2001
* Choices for Children, Chairperson, 2001
* Compass Arts, Board
* Education Freedom Fund, Board of Directors, 1995 to present
* Great Lakes Education Project, Chairperson, 2001
* Michigan Republican State Committee, former Chairperson May 1996 to February 2000
* Republican National Committeewoman for Michigan, 1992-1997
* Restoring the American Dream PAC, Finance Co-chairperson, 2001Biography
She is the daughter of Edgar Prince, who founded
Prince Corporation , an automobile parts supplier based inHolland, Michigan , which has since been purchased byJohnson Controls . Her brother, Erik, foundedBlackwater USA , a private security firm which has operations in Iraq.After graduating from Holland Christian High School in Holland, Michigan, DeVos attended
Calvin College inGrand Rapids, Michigan where she earnedbachelor's degree s inbusiness administration andpolitical science . She and husbandDick DeVos have four children.Controversy
DeVos quit as chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party in a dispute with then-governor
John Engler over Engler's refusal to support a 2000 ballot proposal on school vouchers which was defeated by voters. [http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061101/OPINION02/611010414]Betsy DeVos issued a press release on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, which in part stated that, "Many, if not most, of the economic problems in Michigan are a result of high wages and a tax and regulatory structure that makes this state uncompetitive." This led to a public backlash accusing DeVos of saying that Michigan workers were overpaid.
References
External links
* [http://www.statenews.com/op_article.phtml?pk=18532 Affirmative action initiative poses problems for politicians]
* [http://www.allianceforschoolchoice.org/ Alliance for School Choice]
* [http://www.metrotimes.com/20/21/Features/newGod.htm God Bless Vouchers]
* [http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-0/116170335434170.xml&coll=7 Betsy DeVos urges agenda of change]
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