Pictured: Bill and Marie Selby left a legacy of creating opportunity for others, as well as a love for adventure. In 1909, Marie was one of the first women to cross the United States by car, as she joined Bill in the transcontinental trip. Provided photo.

The idea of legacy is often intertwined with the concepts of money or family. We may think if we can afford to leave a legacy through philanthropy, we can be great. If we raise children who carry our name, our family will continue to live.

But legacy is so much more than that, especially in the United States.

Legacy is how we forge into unknown territory for the good of our community and country. It is how we treat people, how we show up in the world, and how we pair our values with our actions. Legacy allows the best in us to live beyond our years as new generations learn from our example. When we celebrate people with differences, we also support their distinctive contributions, paving the way for others.

During the 250th year of our nation, we have come to a point that asks us to reflect and decide: who do we want to be as individuals now to leave a legacy that continues to build strength and opportunity in the future?

At the Selby Foundation, the legacy of our founders lives in every student and nonprofit we invest in through the generous funds entrusted to us.

Access to opportunity is what Bill and Marie Selby wished for everyone, and they quietly used their resources to provide it where they could. They deemed opportunity to be within reach through education and sometimes through the support of nonprofit organizations. With shared social responsibility, they knew each of us could have the freedom to be contributors, to be ourselves, and to pass along our knowledge to others.

As much as time changes social norms and expectations, tax structures and wealth dynamics, it does not change the fundamental nature of the human desire for agency. We start our lives from different places; we are born into families with distinct circumstances. We all want the ability to thrive and to map our own course. Bill and Marie believed in the potential of people who came from different beginnings, and they believed that all have the right to exercise independence in pursuit of life and excellence.

Even outside of the foundation, the Selbys helped those who were closest to them. For example, Marie was known to purchase homes and cars for those who worked for her. It wasn’t an act of philanthropy but a display of caring for people in her circle.

One could argue that the Selbys’ legacy is only partially about the dollars they left to the foundation. It is as much about the humanity, humility, stewardship, innovation, and responsibility they exemplified during their lives. They did not need to see their name on a building, but they wanted each of us to make conscious choices to invest in our community wisely and to nurture the potential of young people.

America is an infinite combination of beliefs, personal histories, tragic stories, and amazing accomplishments. It was this way in 1776, in 1955 when the foundation was established, and today in 2026. The freedom “to be” is what connects us and empowers us to take our country to places that surprise, surpass, and succeed.

In this year more than others, we are challenged as individuals and as a nation to create a common legacy, unlocking access to even more potential. The Selbys’ lesson is clear: a legacy can exist in many forms. Make yours count. We can all afford to do something that is helpful and lasting, changing the life of one person or many.

Susie Bowie is the President/CEO of The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation.

Pictured: Bill and Marie Selby left a legacy of creating opportunity for others, as well as a love for adventure. In 1909, Marie was one of the first women to cross the United States by car, as she joined Bill in the transcontinental trip. Provided photo.