Oseola McCarty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oseola McCarty
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| Born | March 7, 1908 Shubuta, Mississippi, US |
| Died | September 26, 1999 (aged 91) Hattiesburg, Mississippi, US |
Oseola McCarty (March 7, 1908 – September 26, 1999) was a kind and generous woman from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She worked as a washerwoman her whole life, washing clothes for others. Even though she earned a modest income, she became famous for a truly amazing gift.
In 1995, Oseola McCarty announced she would leave a large part of her life savings to The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). This money would create scholarships for students who needed help paying for college. Her gift was about $150,000, which was a surprising amount for someone who worked such a low-paying job. Her generosity inspired people all over the world.
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About Oseola McCarty
Oseola McCarty was born in Shubuta, Mississippi. When she was a child, her family moved to Hattiesburg. She had to leave school in the sixth grade. This was because her aunt became sick and needed care at home. Oseola never went back to school after that.
Her Life's Work
Like her grandmother, Oseola became a washerwoman. She washed clothes by hand for many years. She continued this hard work until 1994, when arthritis made it too difficult. Arthritis is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the joints.
Oseola lived a simple life. She never married or had children of her own. Her grandmother passed away in 1944, followed by her mother in 1964, and her aunt in 1967. Oseola McCarty died in 1999 from liver cancer.
How She Saved Money
Oseola learned to save money from her mother when she was very young. She opened her first savings account at a bank. Over the years, she opened more accounts at different banks. She was very careful with her money.
Living Simply
Oseola never owned a car. She walked almost everywhere she went, even pushing a shopping cart nearly a mile to buy groceries. She rode with friends to go to church. She did not buy newspapers because she thought it was an unnecessary expense. She had a black-and-white television, but she only watched free broadcast channels.
In 1947, her uncle gave her the house where she lived for the rest of her life. She also received some money from her aunt and mother when they passed away. She always put this money into her savings too. Her careful habits allowed her to save a lot of money over many years.
Her Amazing Gift
Bank employees noticed how much money Oseola McCarty had saved. They started to help her plan what would happen to her savings in the future. They also became her unofficial helpers. For example, bank employees and friends convinced her to buy two small air conditioners for her house. They also helped her get cable television.
Planning Her Legacy
With help from a lawyer and a bank officer, Oseola decided how her money would be shared. She used slips of paper and dimes to represent shares. She decided to give 10% of her money to her church. She gave 10% to each of three relatives. The biggest part, 60% of her savings, went to Southern Miss.
Oseola wanted her gift to help students, especially those of African-American descent. She wanted the money to go to students who could not afford to go to college otherwise. When people heard about her plan, local leaders created a special fund in her honor right away. She signed a special agreement called an "irrevocable trust." This meant the bank would manage her funds and send her regular checks.
Awards and Honors
Oseola McCarty received many awards for her selfless spirit. In 1998, USM gave her an honorary degree. This was the first time the university had ever given such a degree.
National Recognition
President Bill Clinton gave her the Presidential Citizens Medal. This is the second-highest award a civilian can receive in the United States. She also won the United Nations' Avicenna Prize for her commitment to education. In 1996, Harvard University also gave her an honorary doctorate.
In December of that year, she had a special honor. She was the one who pushed the button to drop the countdown ball in Times Square on New Year's Eve! This was her first time sleeping in a hotel and her first time riding in an airplane.
Other Tributes
In 1997, Oseola McCarty received the Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged from the Jefferson Awards for Public Service. She was also recognized with an Essence Award, and singer Patti LaBelle sang a tribute to her during the ceremony.
On October 8, 2020, The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation honored Oseola McCarty again. They celebrated the 25th anniversary of her amazing gift to USM. A virtual event featured interviews and the unveiling of a new sculpture in her honor.
