Joyce Froot
A Legacy of Lifelong Commitment
This story honors the life and generosity of Joyce Froot who passed away during the summer of 2017 and left a generous gift to EMILY’s List in her will. Her daughter Diane speaks admiringly of both of her parents and their passion for supporting philanthropic causes, including EMILY’s List, during their lifetimes.
"Women are starting to stand up for ourselves like we have never done before — and I wholeheartedly support organizations like EMILY’s List that champion this fight. I feel that I can trust EMILY’s List to put my contributions to good use, as they did with my mother’s contributions over her lifetime. I encourage others to give what they can in supporting the critical work of electing women who will stand up for fairness and equal opportunity for all. I am excited to see my parents’ legacy continue with this gift. Their memory will forever be linked to the wave of Democratic pro-choice women who will fight for justice and equality for years to come.
"My parents dedicated their lives to helping others. They both cared passionately about fighting for equality and fairness — values they instilled in me. Both sets of my grandparents immigrated to the United States at the turn of the twentieth century, bringing with them stories of struggle and sacrifice. One side of my family was part of an underground railroad that rescued Jewish people during World War II. Another side had to flee to Crimea due to political upheaval.
"Hearing these stories as a child strengthened my belief in the principles of the Democratic Party and demonstrated to me that these family values date back generations.
"My father, Nathan, was a chemist and an international pharmaceutical salesman. He provided our family with the means to both see the world and contribute to the causes we were most passionate about. We travelled the world together, which opened my eyes to new perspectives and strengthened my interest in helping others, particularly women in need. We have seen firsthand how empowering women and families helps increase their opportunities and ensures a more fair and just world.
"For as long as I can remember, my parents contributed to progressive causes like EMILY’s List. They were passionate Democrats who believed in fairness and helping those less fortunate. They always tried to improve the lives of those in need through philanthropic giving, including contributions to EMILY’s List. I’m so glad that my mother’s legacy and values will live on through the work of this great organization."
We are profoundly grateful to the Froot family for their commitment to EMILY’s List.