Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage
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Sage in 1910
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| Born |
Margaret Olivia Slocum
September 8, 1828 |
| Died | November 4, 1918 (aged 90) New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Education | Troy Female Seminary |
| Known for | Founder of Russell Sage College |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Parent(s) | Joseph Slocum Margaret Pierson Jermain |
| Relatives | John Jermain (grandfather) |
Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, often called Olivia Sage (born September 8, 1828 – died November 4, 1918), was an American woman who gave a lot of money to good causes. She is known for helping education and other important projects.
In 1869, she married Russell Sage, a very rich and powerful businessman. When he passed away in 1906, she inherited a huge fortune. It was more than $63,000,000, and she could use it however she wanted.
Olivia Sage used to be a teacher. Because of this, she strongly supported education. She gave money to Syracuse and other schools for new programs and buildings. She also started the Russell Sage Foundation in 1907. In 1916, she founded Russell Sage College to help women get a good education.
Contents
Early Life and School
Margaret Olivia Slocum, known as Olivia, was born in Syracuse, New York. Her parents were Margaret Pierson and Joseph Slocum.
After a financial crisis in 1837, her father's businesses faced tough times. Even with these money problems, Olivia went to private schools. She graduated in 1847 from the Troy Female Seminary. This school is now called the Emma Willard School.
Her Career
Olivia Slocum worked as a teacher for 20 years. She taught in Syracuse, New York, where she lived with her parents. She also taught in Philadelphia.
Her father continued to struggle financially. In 1857, he was very sick and sold their family home in Syracuse. Olivia and her mother then had to move in with relatives.
During the Civil War, Olivia Slocum moved to Philadelphia. There, she worked as a governess, teaching children in a wealthy family's home. She also volunteered at a military hospital, helping soldiers.
Marriage and Family Life
In 1869, when Olivia Slocum was 41, she married Russell Sage. He was a widower, a financier, and a very rich businessman. He was 12 years older than her. They did not have any children together.
After their marriage, Olivia became involved in activities that fit her role as his wife. In 1906, Russell Sage died. He left his entire fortune, about $70 million, to Olivia. He did not tell her how to spend it, giving her complete freedom.
Helping Others: Philanthropy
Olivia Sage believed in helping people by giving them a good environment. She wanted to give them chances to support themselves and protect them from unfairness. She gave Constitution Island to the government to be part of West Point.
In 1905, Olivia Sage told Syracuse University she would buy Yates Castle. This property would become a college for teachers. This showed her strong connection to Syracuse and her belief in women's education. In 1909, she gave Syracuse $50,000 on her birthday.
Sage also supported E. Lilian Todd. Todd was the first woman in the world to design airplanes! Olivia Sage became her supporter after seeing Todd's first airplane design in 1906.
Russell Sage Foundation
Her biggest gift was $10,000,000 in 1907. This money was used to start the Russell Sage Foundation. This foundation studies social problems and suggests ways to solve them.
In 1908, Olivia Sage gave $650,000 to Yale University. This helped Yale buy land for what became its Science Hill. In 1909, Sage donated Holder Hall to Princeton University. It was named after her ancestor, Christopher Holder, who was treated unfairly for his religion long ago.
Cornell University
Two years later, Sage gave $300,000 to Cornell University. This money built Risley Hall, a dorm for women. It was named after her mother-in-law. She also helped women's education by funding the Olivia Josselyn House in 1912. This building at Vassar College, a women's school, was named for her grandmother.
Marsh Island Wildlife Refuge
Also in 1912, Sage bought Marsh Island in the Gulf of Mexico. She made it a safe place for birds and other wildlife.
Russell Sage College
In 1916, Sage founded Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. It was a college especially for women. The college is in a historic area of Troy. Russell Sage College helps students become strong women who can make a difference in their jobs and communities.
Pierson Middle-High School
Sage also gave money to build Pierson Middle-High School. It was named after her ancestor, Abraham Pierson, the elder. He was one of the first European settlers on Long Island. The school was finished in 1908 and cost $102,000.
Sag Harbor Community
Olivia Slocum Sage spent her summers in Sag Harbor, New York. This was a former whaling and fishing village. She helped organize the building of a library there and gave most of the money for it. She named the library after her grandfather, Major John Jermain, who fought in the American Revolution. The library was built in 1910 and given as a gift to the people of the village.
Olivia Sage's summer home in Sag Harbor later became the town's Sag Harbor Whaling Museum. In 2017, a special marker was placed outside her former home. It honored her contributions to the movement that helped women get the right to vote in New York State.
Her Legacy
After her death, Olivia Sage's will continued her giving. She divided her remaining wealth into 52 equal parts. Nineteen educational institutions each received one part, about $800,000.
She gave even larger amounts, $1.6 million each, to:
- The Emma Willard School
- The Woman's Hospital
- The Children's Aid Society
- The Charity Organization Society
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The American Museum of Natural History
- Syracuse University
She also gave large donations to many churches and religious causes.
After she passed away, $2,750,000 was given for the Russell Sage Foundation Homes in 1919. This was a community in Forest Hills Gardens, Queens. She also gave a lot to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and the Emma Willard School in Troy. These gifts helped build the Russell Sage Dining Hall in 1916 and the Russell Sage Laboratory.
Olivia Slocum Sage also helped the National Training School in Durham, North Carolina. This school was founded by James E. Shepard for black teachers. By 1915, Sage had given over $23,000,000 in total.
Images for kids
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Sage in 1910
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A portrait of Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage hangs on the wall inside Risley Hall at Cornell.
See also
In Spanish: Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage para niños
