MS. OSEOLA MCCARTY (1908-1999) was an American philanthropist and lifelong washerwoman from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, whose remarkable generosity made her a national symbol of selfless giving. Despite having only a sixth-grade education and earning her living for over 75 years washing and ironing clothes, she lived frugally and saved much of what she earned. In 1995, at age of 87, she donated $150,000 of her life savings — the majority of her wealth — to The University of Southern Mississippi to establish scholarships for financially needy students, especially those from her region. Her donation drew national and international attention, leading to appearances on major television networks and coverage in The New York Times, People, Essence, Jet Magazines, and inspiring many others to give. Ms. McCarty received numerous honors for her generosity, including the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Bill Clinton, an honorary doctorate from Harvard University, and the first honorary degree ever bestowed by Southern Miss. Her legacy lives on through the Oseola McCarty Scholarship Endowment, which has grown over time and continues to support students’ education — reaching a $1 million milestone through continued donations inspired by her gift. The late Ms. Oseola McCarty is considered a national influencer because her humble life and extraordinary act of philanthropy challenged assumptions about who gives and how big an impact one person can make, inspiring others across the country to support education and generosity regardless of their own wealth. Stay tuned to our "African-American Influencers" series on all social media platforms during February!
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