Ms. Oseola
McCarty
(March 7, 1908 - September 26, 1999)
“We always hear about Mississippi being last. Last in this, last
in that. Well, at last, Mississippi is first … in generosity.* And, in 1995,
the world took note of Mississippi’s generous spirit through a single,
unselfish act.
Ms. Oseola McCarty of Hattiesburg had made a living washing & ironing for
over 75 years. As a child, she was taught to save money by her mother, a
single-parent who was a cook and sold candy to make ends meet.
Over the years, Oseola – who lived modestly, never even owning a
car – accumulated a small fortune. In1995, she donated $150,000 to The
University of Southern Mississippi for an endowed scholarship. It was the
single largest gift ever given to USM by an African-American.
Having quit school in 6th grade to help take care of her ailing aunt, Oseola
wanted desperately “to help somebody’s child go to college.” The Oseola McCarty
Scholarship does just that by giving “priority consideration to those deserving
African-American students enrolling at USM who clearly demonstrate a financial
need.”
Prior to her death in 1999, Ms. McCarty received scores of awards and other
honors recognizing her generous spirit, including the Presidential Citizens
Medal, the nation’s second highest civilian award. But all the awards and
accolades in the world could never truly match the rich, warm, humble blessing
that was Ms. Oseola McCarty.”
From Mississippi Believe It !
http://www.mississippibelieveit.com/home/
