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| Dorothy Whyte Almen Advances The Cause Of Freedom With Her Bequest! |
By Kimberly Martin Begg, Director of Planned Giving
Steadfastly principled and humble, Ronald Reagan advanced the cause of freedom through his life's work.
So did Dorothy Whyte Almen.
A fervent patriot and loyal supporter of Young America's Foundation, Dorothy made the decision to continue her life's work by including a gift to Young America's Foundation in her living trust.
Sadly, we never had the opportunity to thank Dorothy while she was alive for her legacy gift. Dorothy passed away on December 28, 2004, having never told us about her decision to leave a legacy of freedom through Young America's Foundation.
Ronald Reagan once said, "There's a flickering spark in all of us, which, if struck at just the right age can light up the rest of our lives." We would have liked to say thank you to Dorothy for igniting that "spark" in young people the first time they hear conservative ideas from a Young America's Foundation speaker, develop new friendships with young conservatives at a youth leadership conference, or are inspired by Ronald Reagan at a Freedom Philosophers seminar at the Reagan Ranch.
We hope others who make plans to leave a legacy of freedom with Young America's Foundation will consider sharing their good news with us.
Dorothy, a staunchly conservative and deeply religious woman, updated her living trust four times. This is noteworthy. While the process of meeting with an attorney to update your will or living trust is not difficult, many never make their legacy the priority it deserves, even when life circumstances change. In fact, 70% of American adults don't have a will or living trust!
It's no surprise that Dorothy took steps to control her legacy, given the dedication she showed throughout her life as an American patriot, a deacon at her church, a musician, a world traveler, and a social and political leader of her community.
Dorothy was born September 7, 1914 at Sioux City, Iowa to Lorenzo and Alice Valentine. She moved to Oklahoma City in 1928 and attended Harding Junior High School, Central High School, and the University of Oklahoma. Dorothy enjoyed an interesting 25+ year career in both Oklahoma City and in Washington, D.C. as assistant to high-level government officials.
In Washington, D.C. during World War II, she served as junior administrative assistant to the Assistant Secretary of War in the Pentagon, with daily access to the White House, dealing with top leaders of the War, Navy and State Departments, as well as major generals of both the U.S. and Allied Nations.
During a lull at war's end, the U.S. government drafted her to interview and recruit hundreds of clerical staff and court reporters to serve in Germany at the Nuremberg War Trials.
Following this assignment, she was one of two women selected from the War Department to staff the Secretariat of the United Nations Organizations (later UN) in London, England, at its first formal meeting.
Returning to Washington, D.C. after the war, she served as secretary to the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Group (now the CIA). She later moved back to Oklahoma City holding other government positions. Dorothy retired in 1976 from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Dorothy was a charter member of St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church where she also served as a deacon. She was a member of several social and civic organizations including Ladies' Music Club, Sooner Book Club and PEO.
She participated in the founding of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in Oklahoma City and became President of Epsilon Chapter. She also was politically active participating in the Oklahoma City Town Hall, Oklahoma City Republican Women's Club and Oklahoma First Ladies Club. She was a Regent of the National Federation of Republican Women and a life member of the Republican Senatorial Inner Circle.
Dorothy was a talented pianist, and together with her husband, Harold William Almen, traveled extensively throughout the world. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, John (Jack) Reid Whyte and her second husband, Harold (Hal) William Almen. She is survived by Bill and Patty Almen, Curt and Susan Almen, Jeff and Natalie Bonney, Phillip Bonney, Kyle Bonney, Chase Almen, Miranda Almen, and countless young people who embrace her ideas and advance the cause of freedom, thanks to her legacy gift.
You also may want to make it easy and convenient to have a bequest included in your will. The language below shows how a bequest can very easily be included in your will.
You might find it helpful to select the "print" button on the top of your screen and print this page. You may feel free to give this page to your attorney. If he or she has any questions, please have them contact Kimberly Martin Begg at phone number 703-318-9608 or e-mail me at kbegg@yaf.org.
Example bequest language - Please feel free to change the numbers or percentages as you desire.
1. Bequest of cash
"I bequeath the sum of $10,000 to Young America's Foundation of Herndon, VA."
2. Bequest of a percent of the estate
"I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to Young America's Foundation, Herndon, VA."
3. Contingent Bequest
"If my brother John Doe survives me, I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to John Doe. If John Doe does not survive me, then I devise and bequeath 20% of my residuary estate, whether real or personal property and wherever located to Young America's Foundation, Herndon, VA."
You may print a Bequest tri-fold brochure. Voice of a Legacy or Will Your Will be Known.
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