Democratization

This series of messages takes an unorthodox view on advances in democracy.  Rather than how we look at democracy in traditional ways, it looks at democracy equalizers.

    • Sacrificing for Others

      Riad Seif was born in Syria in 1946. He began working in a shirt factory when he was 17. In his late 30’s, he acquired a franchise to make Adidas products. Eventually the factory employed 1,600 employees and sold its products throughout the Middle East and Europe. His...

      Read More

    • The Democracy of Travel

      Kemmons Wilson was an only child born in Arkansas. After his father died when he was nine months old, Kemmons and his mother moved to Tennessee. He had the responsibility of helping his mother. He quit school when he was in his teens because his mother had lost her...

      Read More

    • Rural Electrification

      Louisan Mamer was born on a farm in Southern Illinois. There was no running water or electricity in her home. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in Home Economics in 1931. Her degree had a heavy science emphasis, and she learned how cooking...

      Read More

    • Democratic Actions

      Jovito (Jovy) Salonga was the youngest of five brothers born into poverty in the Philippine Islands. His father was a Presbyterian minister, and his mother was a street vendor. In spite of living in poverty, Jovy and his brothers were encouraged to get an education....

      Read More

    • Birthright Citizenship

      Wong Kim Ark was born in San Francisco around 1870. His parents were Chinese immigrants but were not allowed to apply for U.S. citizenship. Wong made two trips to China in 1890 and 1894. On the first return to the U.S., he was readmitted with no problem. On his second...

      Read More

    • Expanding Voting Rights

      Jennings Randolph was born in 1902 in a small town in West Virginia. Both his father and grandfather were mayors of his hometown. When he graduated from college, he spent some time in journalism and higher education, but public service was his calling. After an...

      Read More

    • Coming Together

      Everett Dirksen was born in 1896 to parents who were German immigrants to America. His father died when he was nine, and he grew up on a farm managed by his mother. He needed to work during high school and college to support his family. His family were strong...

      Read More

    • Cultural Awareness Through Food

      When you arrive at even the smallest of towns in America, you will often be surprised at the restaurant choices that are available. Of course, you will not be surprised when you see a diner or a restaurant with a menu primarily consisting of comfort food. What may...

      Read More

    • Democracy and the Postage Stamp

      Roland Hill was a precocious youth. When he was 12 years old, he was teaching astronomy in his father’s school. As a young adult, he gained acclaim as an education innovator. He became an advocate for public education and founded a model school for the middle class....

      Read More

    • The Color Purple

      William Perkin grew up in a family of seven children. At various times in his life, William had desires to be a builder, a musician, or an artist. His father wanted him to be an architect. William chose to be a chemist. In spite of his father’s displeasure, William...

      Read More