Annual Report and Recognition Book - United Way of Greater Toledo
Annual Report and Recognition Book - United Way of Greater Toledo
Annual Report and Recognition Book - United Way of Greater Toledo
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de TOCQUeVILLe<br />
THE FLEUR-DE-LIS<br />
<strong>United</strong> <strong>Way</strong> adopted the fleur-de-lis,<br />
or flower <strong>of</strong> the lily, as a symbol<br />
for the Tocqueville Society.<br />
Legend has it that Clovis, the<br />
Merovingian king <strong>of</strong> the Franks,<br />
adopted the symbol when water<br />
lilies showed him how to safely<br />
cross a river <strong>and</strong> thus succeed in battle.<br />
In 1831, Alexis Charles-Henri de Tocqueville came to America, traveled extensively,<br />
<strong>and</strong> recorded his observations <strong>of</strong> life in the young nation. Though he only spent<br />
nine months in the <strong>United</strong> States, he gleaned an insightful view <strong>of</strong> American<br />
society. De Tocqueville recognized, applauded, <strong>and</strong> immortalized American<br />
voluntary action on behalf <strong>of</strong> the common good. He wrote: “I must say that I have<br />
seen Americans make a great deal <strong>of</strong> real sacrifices to the public welfare; <strong>and</strong> have<br />
noticed a hundred instances in which they hardly ever failed to lend a faithful<br />
support to one another.” He captured the essence <strong>of</strong> personal philanthropy that<br />
persists almost three centuries later. It is in this spirit <strong>United</strong> <strong>Way</strong> <strong>of</strong> America (now<br />
<strong>United</strong> <strong>Way</strong> Worldwide) created the <strong>United</strong> <strong>Way</strong> Tocqueville Society in 1984. Today,<br />
the Society is one <strong>of</strong> the world’s most prestigious institutions for individuals who<br />
are passionate about improving peoples’ lives <strong>and</strong> strengthening communities.
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