#davis family
When I read the first post on Facebook about the passing of 106 year old Kathryn Wasserman Davis, I was instantly and deeply saddened. But as I continued reading the dozens of posts by my friends about how she had touched their lives, seeing the articles about her wonderful journey, and reflecting about how her legacy has impacted me and will continue to do so, I became overjoyed at an utterly glorious life well lived.
In their article, BussinessWeek magazine entitled Kathryn “Head of Investing Family”. But to me, and so many others- she was the matriarch of a wonderful line of philanthropists. I never met her, and I doubt if any of my aforementioned friends had either, but she and her family have supported me for many years. Her son, Shelby Davis, provides full scholarships for every American student at the twelve United World Colleges, as well as to many international students at the schools, and then continues giving support to all alumni who go to one of 85+ universities. Kathryn herself supports numerous organizations centered around international relations and the environment and various institutions, including her alma mater Wellesley and that of her late husband, Princeton. Her most direct gift to myself was the Project for Peace grant I used to fund Trail of Seeds’ project in Venezuela. It was one of 100, $10,000 grants she gives each year to students’ whose projects promote peace around the world.
But more than the money she gave, Kathryn is inspiring because of the life she lived. From the beginning to the end she did amazing things- in her early twenties she took a horseback riding trip through the Caucasas mountains at 91 she took up kayaking, and at 96 painting. She lived all around the world, especially enjoying Russia, and spending a great amount of time in in Switzerland when her husband was it’s ambassador. And all of this is only what I was able to find online. From what I’ve heard and read about her attitude and outlook on life, I know there could be pages and pages of fascinating adventures and insights.
Importantly, and why I’m so inspired by her, she not only lived an amazing life herself, but worked hard to help others to be able to do the same. This is exactly my mission in life- and seeing someone who has done it so astonishingly for so long brings a truly speechless happiness to my heart.
Kathryn once said that she is guided by the idea that it is more fun to live in a world that you are helping to get better. Kathryn has done just that for 106 years, and now the thousands of people who she has touched, myself included, will continue to do so in her memory. Her inspiration will live on and on and her impact will continue to multiply.
Kathryn- thank you so much. For the gift of support and wisdom that you have given me, and for being a shining beacon of both living a great life and helping others to live great lives as well. You’ll be missed, but your good will live on forever.
