Joan Crock's Gift to the Democratic Party

As McDonald's expansion exploded internationally, the chain was frequently perceived as an invasion of the worst aspects of American culture. Joan Crock inherited her husband's considerable fortune and sole control of his foundation. She continued in a veritable orgy of philanthropy to just about every socially aware or civic minded cause one might think of. In 1984 she announced that she would donate $1 million to the Democratic Party, the biggest single contribution ever.