The RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity conducted an informational event on July 31, 2014 to celebrate the annual “Friedman Legacy Day. The program showcased the late professor’s famous ideas, including educational choice. The event – The ABCs of School Choice – was held at the CCRI Liston Campus Auditorium in Providence and was co-sponsored by the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, a group founded by Dr. Friedman and his wife, Rose.

Gertrude Jones (ex Pres. Prov. School Board) was the featured speaker.

“With far too many failed schools in Rhode Island, every child deserves an education of their family’s choice,” commented Mike Stenhouse, CEO for the Center. “Expanded educational choice empowers parents to place their children in the educational environment that is best for them.”

An advisor to several U.S. presidents, Milton Friedman won the Nobel Prize in economics in 1976 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1988. The author of such books as “Capitalism and Freedom” also is well known for his appearance on the popular PBS series “Free to Choose.” He is considered the “father” of the all-volunteer army and school choice. “In education alone, today Milton Friedman’s ideas are positively impacting thousands of Americans,” said Robert Enlow, president and CEO of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice. “Calls for more personal empowerment and choice can be attributed to Dr. Friedman. And it’s groups like RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity that keep Milton Friedman’s legacy alive.” In 1996, Dr. Friedman and his wife, Rose, founded the Friedman

Foundation for Educational Choice to research and promote school choice, an idea he first proposed in 1955. The event commemorated what would have been Milton Friedman’s 102nd birthday.

To participate in this discussion Twitter, go to #Milton102

The Event

Videos, including statements from Milton Friedman as well as celebrities promoting educational choice, were shown. A branded birthday cake was served and photos were taken of participants in a cut-out of Friedman.

Featured Speakers:

Getrude Jones – former President of the Providence School Board

Mark Carter – Executive Director, San Miguel School