Beadwork of the Seminole Native Americans

Edward Abbott Ravenscroft has an interest in Native American tribes, including the Seminoles, Apache Chickasaw, and Navajo. The Seminoles originated in Florida during the 1700s when members of the Creek tribe sought new lands due to conflicts with other tribes and Europeans. At one point in time, the people of the Seminole tribe were at war with the United States and referred to themselves as "Unconquered People" due to eluding capture for years. The Seminoles today are descendants of 300 Native Americans who evaded the US Army. There are currently more than 2,000 Seminoles spread throughout Florida.

The Seminole culture included basketry, art, and beadwork. Edward Abbott Ravenscroft has an associated interest in Native American jewelry. Beadwork was a part of daily life for Seminoles and was incorporated in daily routines. Beads were prized by Seminole women who wore approximately 12 pounds at a time. Beads were valued to the extent that groceries were the only commodity prioritized over them. Beads were also important in Seminole relationships. A Seminole man usually included a gift of beads when courting a woman.                        

Abbott Laboratories Corporation - Development Work in Haiti

Edward Abbott Ravenscroft advocates for a healthy, active lifestyle and pursues one himself, hiking, practicing Karate, and emphasizing a healthy, organic diet. Edward Abbott Ravenscroft is a shareholder in the Abbott Laboratories Corporation.

The Abbott Laboratories Corporation produces generic pharmaceuticals, nutritional products, medical equipment, and diagnostic tools. It also performs diagnostic tests, such as blood screenings and immunoassays. The Abbott Laboratories Corporation is the current form of a company founded in 1888 by Chicago physician Wallace C. Abbott. Since then, it has grown into a global multinational company operating in 150 countries and employing over 70,000 people. It is consistently named in Fortune Magazine’s list of the world’s most admired companies and has been consistently named as one of the most sustainable companies by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

Outside of its business practices, Abbott Laboratories Inc. has partnered with nonprofits to provide expertise in development projects. One such project is the Nourimanba Production Facility of Haiti’s Central Plateau. Undertaken in partnership with Partners in Health, the project seeks to provide both economic opportunity and access to good nutrition in a region that has high rates of poverty. The effects of this investment extend beyond the facility, as farmers in the surrounding area benefit from added demand for the peanut crop.