Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ronald Reagan: Servant Leaders “If we love our country, we should love our fellow countrymen, too.” – Ronald Reagan“The first question the priest and the Levite asked each other was, 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But the Good Samaritan turned the question around: “If I don't stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Both men were right in these statements and both had a strong conviction that they were doing the right thing. President Ronald Regan and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were known for their ability to use words to express their feelings and to serve those who depended on them in an era when strong leadership was not only expected, but also necessary. According to the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, a servant leader is one who “enrichs the lives of individuals, builds better organizations, and ultimately creates a more just and caring world (What is Servant Leadership? n.d.). When looking at the lives of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ronald Reagan, there may not be a strong correlation between the civil rights leader and the actor-turned-president, however there are some striking similarities between their motivations as servant leaders. and faith in God Ronald Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois, to John and Nellie Reagan, owners of a business in Dixon, Illinois. His mother taught him to pray while they attended a Disciples of Christ church, and his family taught him the importance of small-town values, which included a strong work ethic, the importance of education and tolerance, helping others and commitment to God and family (Ronald Reagan Foundation, n.d.). He attended Eurek......half of the paper......topics/us-presidents/ronald-reaganRonald Reagan. (n.d.). The White House. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/ronaldreaganRonald Reagan Foundation. (n.d.). Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from https://www.reaganfoundation.org/Ronald Reagan: Biography. (n.d.). Biography.com. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://www.biography.com/people/ronald-reagan-9453198#awesm=~oBTMwxXcnng2EEVox, L. (n.d.). The Long Battle for Martin Luther King Day You Didn't Know About. About.com African-American History. Retrieved April 20, 2014, from http://afroamhistory.about.com/od/africanamericanculture/a/History-Of-Martin-Luther-King-Day.htmWhat is Servant Leadership?. (n.d.). Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. Retrieved April 17, 2014, from https://greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/