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About
Elayne Glover Bennett is the founder and president of the Best Friends Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit she established in 1990 to promote character education and development programs exclusively for adolescent girls in public schools. The program's core tenets emphasize commitments to abstinence from sex, drugs, and alcohol until marriage; pursuit of academic excellence; development of positive friendships; and self-respect. Under her leadership, it has served tens of thousands of students, with reported success in lowering rates of teen pregnancy, substance use, and school dropout among participants. The initiative has expanded to include Best Friends for Boys and other related programs. She is the wife of William Bennett. As a prominent advocate for abstinence-only education and family values, Bennett has testified before Congress, collaborated with policymakers on youth prevention strategies, co-authored resources on character education, and appeared in media discussions on moral development. Her approach aligns with conservative principles, often partnering with religious and community organizations. Critics, including public health advocates, have challenged the program's effectiveness and ideological basis, citing studies questioning abstinence-only outcomes. Bennett resides in the Washington, D.C. area and continues to oversee the foundation's operations and expansions.