Honoring William H. Gates Sr.
Who Believed in the Vision for WHGI—and Made it a Reality
Mr. Bill Gates Sr. left many enduring legacies, including his investment in the establishment of the William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health (WHGI) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH) in 1999.
A philanthropist, lawyer, humanitarian, and visionary leader, Bill Sr. profoundly influenced causes related to global equity, championing campaigns to address vaccine-preventable diseases, reduce infant mortality, promote reproductive health, and build schools.
When family planning was written off the global agenda in the 1990s and early 2000s, Bill Sr. helped ensure it regained a spotlight in policies and programs worldwide.
WHGI honors his legacy by conducting research that drives policy and practice, convening diverse voices from across the global sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) field, and training the next generation of leaders.
Reflections from Johns Hopkins Leadership
"In hindsight, one can only marvel at the extraordinary vision of Bill Sr. in making these early investments. He saw the need to reinvigorate the field of family planning and bring it to the forefront once again after being left off the global agenda for 15 years.
He understood that making family planning exciting would attract the best and the brightest to it and to the broader public health field. He saw the need for long-term investments, not just the transactional quick-fix kind so common today.
His dedication to fighting global inequity and uplifting the voices of others inspired our mission, and enables the Institute to train the leaders of today and tomorrow, engage in groundbreaking research, lead innovative programs, and make “positive disruptions” to increase family planning access and improve reproductive health for women and men, communities and countries across the world."
- Jose "Oying" Rimon II, Former WHGI Director
Many of our PFRH collaborators from around the globe, faculty, staff, and students over the years benefited from his visionary spirit, wisdom, and generosity.
May many in the generations to come continue his legacy of being a force for good and advancing social change."
- Cynthia Minkovitz, Professor and Chair of the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health (PFRH) at Johns Hopkins BSPH.
Memories from the Global Health Community
Memorial Tree Planting Initiative
Aside from his deep dedication to creating a more equitable world, Bill Sr. was known as a humble, generous, and kind man.
To that end, we want to honor his legacy in a meaningful and unique way—acknowledging not just his accomplishments in the family planning landscape, but also the countless lives he touched along the way.
In honor of his remarkable life, we are asking partners and friends who were touched by his incredible generosity to plant a tree sapling. Each tree will commemorate all that Bill Gates Sr. so selflessly gave to the world and will contribute to the health of the planet, just as he did throughout his lifetime.
“The great legacy and tremendous contributions Bill Gates Senior have made will continue to outlive generations”
– Dr. Livinus Miapkwap, Executive Secretary Plateau State Primary Health Care Board, Nigeria