Bill Gates is joined by sister Libby Gates Armintrout and father Bill Gates, Sr., for the ribbon-cutting for the Mary M. Gates Learning Center at United Way Worldwide in Alexandria, VA. The Center was made possible through a generous gift from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in honor of the late Mary M. Gates, who provided leadership in volunteering, advocacy and giving for United Way on a local, national and international level. The Center is built on Mrs. Gates’ belief that learning, sharing and working together will make the world a better place.
“My mother would be so happy to know about this Center,” said Bill Gates. “More than anything else, it was my mother’s infectious enthusiasm for United Way that made it a family tradition, and that made giving one of the most rewarding and fun parts of my life.”