Betsy DeVos
Secretary of Education
Elizabeth Dee “Betsy” DeVos was born in January 1958 in Holland, Michigan. She was educated at the Holland Christian High School and graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids with a B.A. in business economics.
DeVos has had a career in business, being involved in technology, manufacturing and energy. She and her husband were producers of a Broadway run of a stage play based on the life of evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson. They have taken a philanthropic interest in arts and education, and she has been an education activist.
President Donald Trump nominated Mrs. DeVos to be Secretary of Education in January 2017. After considerable debate, she was confirmed by the Senate and assumed her position in February 2017.
She is married to Richard Marvin DeVos, Jr. and they have four adult children. DeVos is a member of the Christian Reformed Church of America.
In the News…
As she promised to do at the beginning of her tenure, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos adjusted the language of Title IX, the federal decree for the adjudication of sex crimes on college campuses, to give further protection to the accused.
In a tweet, she said her “historic action” is meant “to ensure all students are safe to learn and achieve. Our new Title IX rule provides new and meaningful protections for survivors of sexual harassment/assault and balances the scales of justice on campuses across America.” She said, “It treats all students fairly and holds all schools accountable if they fail to protect their students.”
Perhaps the most important changes made by Secretary DeVos surround due process rights for the accused. Sexual assault and rape are growing issues on college campuses, but institutions have tended away from due process and unfairly favored the accusers. The secretary’s changes not only demand a reasonable evidentiary standard, but her changes also explicitly protect the due process rights of the accused and gives the accused party the right to face and cross-examine their accuser, as would be the procedure in a courtroom.
Her changes will inevitably face backlash for her bold action in defense of the accused. In reality, the changes to Title IX represent a win for freedom of speech, due process, and fair adjudication of sex crimes on college campuses.
Contact this Leader…
Did you pray for Secretary DeVos today? You can let her know at:
The Honorable Secretary Betsy DeVos
Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave SW
Washington, DC 20202
