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Biography
Wilbur H. Ferry was born in Detroit on December 17th, 1910. He attended the University of Detroit High School where he was a star football player. After high school, Ferry went on to Dartmouth College, earning his A.B degree in 1932. He worked as an instructor at the Choate School from 1932-1933. Next, he entered the profession of journalism, which he worked at from 1933-1935 and from 1937-1941.

Ferry married his first wife, Joyce Marie Gillier in 1937. He served as Director of Public Relations for the CIO: Poltical Action Committee in 1944. From 1954-1969 Ferry was Vice President of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions. The two were divorced 35 years later in 1972, which was a year before Wilbur Ferry met his partner in life and philanthropy, Carol Bernstein. Immediately after marrying, the two started playing an active role in human rights, political causes, prevention of environmental problems, and the overall struggles of places such as Africa. Ferry organized the exploratory project on Conditions for Peace in 1974. The work with Africa began in 1976 and didn’t end until 1987 when he organized the Citizens for Peace Treaty.

During his politically active years, he made a name for himself with his outspoken position against the death penalty. Wilbur H. Ferry died in 1995 at the age of 84, after serving the nation in many great causes, and helping contribute money, along with his wife, to many more; showing support and sending encouragement towards them.

DJB Foundation
Funded with money left over from Carol Bernstein Ferry's first marriage, the DJB Foundation was the start of the Ferrys' contributions to many small groups and different causes all around the nation. Among the main recipients were philanthropy groups dedicated to human rights, economic recovery, and the anti-war effort. The Ferrys gave out smaller sums of money than many other organizations did because they believed that giving out huge amounts could “corrupt and distort” an organization’s goals. Many causes received two hundred dollars or less.

The Ferrys set out with the goal of having all of their six million dollars given away by the end of ten years, though in actuality, they met the goal in about four and a half years. Mrs. Ferry explained that giving all the money away made sense to her because “they could know the needs of the present, but not of the future.” Some of the larger efforts supported by the DJB included the Inter-Religious Foundation for Community Organization, the Youth Project, and San Francisco’s Young Adult Projects.

Major Political Contributions
The American Civil Liberties Union - The Ferrys gave generously to this organization; up to a thousand dollars or more each year. The ACLU “works to defend and preserve individual rights and liberties, given to us by the Constitution.” Among these rights are freedom of speech, assembly, the press, and religion, found in the First Amendment. The ACLU also helps to secure equal protection for people under the law, the right to due process, and the right to privacy. Over the years they helped to fight discrimination, ensure immigrant rights, and work for greater women's rights. The ACLU also works with individuals to extend their rights, when they have traditionally been denied them.

Center for Constitutional Rights - This organization is dedicated to “the creative use of law as a positive force for social change.”  They strive to promote justice and oppose armed aggression.

Major Social/Environmental Contributions
Africa Fund - A non-profit organization which gives finance and expertise to “sustainable development projects” in East Africa. The Africa Fund also provides emergency relief in different areas of East Africa when needed. The Ferrys gave the Africa Fund an estimated $45,000 in just one year, and continued to give similar, smaller amounts for years after.