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Virginia James | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Alma mater | Columbia University |
| Occupation | Investor |
Virginia James, also known as Virginia Manheimer[1] and Virginia Gilder,[2][3] is a self-employed investor andconservative donor.
James grew up inPassaic, New Jersey andLevittown, Pennsylvania. While working as a secretary onWall Street, she met her husband,Richard Gilder.[2] The couple divorced in 1994.[4] James lives inLambertville, New Jersey.[5] James graduated fromColumbia University.[2]
James is Chairwoman of the Empire Foundation for Policy Research, founder of A Brighter Choice (ABC) Scholarships, and a member of the board of the Foundation for Education Reform and Accessibility.[6] James and her ex-husband helped found the Empire Foundation, a conservative think tank, in 1991.[2] James is a supporter ofschool vouchers. In 1996, James offered to pay for 90% of the private school tuition for any student ofGiffen Memorial, anAlbany primary school.[4]
James is a co-founder ofThe Club for Growth,[7] to which she donated $700,000 in 2008.[1] James is on the leadership council of the Club for Growth.[8] James donated $1 million in 2014, $500,000 in 2013, $1.2 million in 2012, and $350,000 in 2010 to theClub for Growth Action.[3][9] James has also donated toGeorge Pataki,[2]Ted Cruz,Richard Mourdock,[10] andSteve Lonegan.[11] James was a major supporter of Let Freedom Ring,John Templeton, Jr.'s organization that opposed the election ofBarack Obama in 2008.[1] James donated $200,000 to Women Speak Out PAC, a project of theSusan B. Anthony List that opposed the re-election ofBarack Obama.[12] James donated $400,000 to All Children Matter,Dick Devos'sschool voucher advocacy group.[13]