EMPATHY THINKING®
"The greatest wealth is health."
- Virgil
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Empathy Thinking ® creates awareness regarding the needs of others. With this approach one realizes a sense of well being is not the end in itself. Rather, a sense of well being is a byproduct of striving after some common higher purpose. This striving for common purpose view of life announces a fundamental change of focus in the entire cast of our culture. The fundamental change is a return to commitment to basic human values in a realm larger than ourselves. You might call it the celestial fire in our heart known as our human conscience. Conover Foundation refers to this celestial fire in our hearts as Empathy Thinking ®.
We honor the the memory of Mary Elizabeth Conover Mellon by building alliances with natural peacemakers. Natural peacemakers are givers and nurturers of life. Natural peacemakers focus on human relationships. Natural peacemakers engage with the demanding work of protecting children and family life. Natural peacemakers develop a deep sense of empathy that cuts through to underlying human realities.
OUR MISSION
To change the way the world lives by returning to a commitment to basic human values
OUR VISION
To utilize Empathy Thinking® to create a world at peace
WHAT IS THE CONOVER FOUNDATION?
The Mary Elizabeth Conover Foundation is a philanthropic organization operating from corporate offices in McLean, Virginia, USA. In 2014 the US Internal Revenue Service recognized the foundation as a tax-exempt organization.
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HOW WAS IT FORMED?
The organization formed under the auspices of Foundation Source, 501 Silverside Road, Wilmington, Delaware. The Foundation Source manages more than 1,300 family, corporate, and professionally staffed foundations of all sizes, nationwide. This provides an entire team of private foundation experts under one roof and oversight by the country’s top compliance professionals. Conover Foundation benefits from: 1) a web-based “command center” for anytime, anywhere foundation management, 2) tools to simplify and organize foundation grants, 3) advisory services to unleash the full power of philanthropy, and 4) instant access to a community of foundation donors and online resources.
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WHY WAS IT FORMED?
Conover Foundation gets inspiration from Mary Elizabeth Conover Mellon. With the help of her husband, renowned philanthropist Paul Mellon, she dedicated her life to supporting the work of poets, scientists, and artists. She described her work as preserving the history of the human soul. To honor her legacy, in 2017 Conover Foundation established the Center for Art and Neuroscience in McLean, Virginia, USA.
According to the ancient Roman poet Virgil, “The greatest wealth is health.” Despite having vast wealth at her disposal, in 1946 Mary Elizabeth Conover Mellon died of an acute asthmatic attack at the young age of 42. She left behind a grieving Paul Mellon, 4 year old son, and 10 year old daughter.
Shortly after her death in a letter to Paul Mellon Carl Gustav Jung wrote:
Dear Mr. Mellon,
Barrett’s telegram, which informed me of Mrs. Mellon’s death, has caused such
a shock to me that I can realize what a terrible experience it must have been
to you. It is a loss the extent of which one can hardly imagine. Elle était une
femme degrande envergure [She was a woman of great stature] who had it in
herself to play a great role in the world. And now she has gone from us in the
zenith of her life, when she was at the threshold of her great realization.
I share your grief and suffering.
Yours sincerely,
C. G. Jung”
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WHAT IS EMPATHY THINKING®?
Empathy Thinking ® is a way to live. One who lives this life is centered on serving others. This way of
thinking creates sensitive, strong, and loyal individuals. Empathy Thinking® is the fundamental principle
critical to healthy human relations. Conover Foundation is committed to applying these principles to
effect positive change in human behaviour.
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WHO ARE THAI & MASON CONOVER?
Thai and Mason Conover are fictional characters. They represent a modern version of Mary Elizabeth Conover Mellon and her husband Paul Mellon. Despite facing significant challenges in their life, Thai and Mason have been able to find a sense of well being together. They have learned the difficult lesson. A sense of well being is not the end in itself. Rather, a sense of well being is a byproduct of striving after some larger common purpose. Thai and Mason Conover represent the best there is in living with Empathy Thinking®.
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WHO/WHAT IS GENERAL BROWN, MD®?
Conover Foundation also takes inspiration from the historical figure Physician General William Brown, MD.
He is our model for Empathy Thinking®. He served under General Washington in the Revolutionary War.
He put his life at risk to care for the troops.
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HOW DOES GB RELATE TO THE CONOVER FOUNDATION?
Over many generations Conover family members have served American troops by providing medical care.
We are pleased to honor all those who serve in this manner. To Conover Foundation,
General Brown, MD® represents the best there is in this domain.
CARE FOR THE TROOPS
One method by which Conover Foundation continues the legacy of Mary Elizabeth Conover Mellon is by sponsoring historic roadside markers. The foundation honors important historic figures who demonstrated great empathy. On Veterans Day 2017 the foundation honored Physician General William Brown, MD. He served under General Washington in the Revolutionary War. He was a visionary with regard to providing standardized care to the troops.