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Young Oseola Mccarty Biography

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In 1998 Oseola McCarty, a career washer woman from Hattiesburg MA was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). This was the first such such degree awarded by the university, and McCarty remains the University’s most renowned benefactor. McCarty (March 7, 1908 – September 26, 1999) drew nationwide attention after it was announced in July 1995 that she had established a trust, a large portion of which at her death would be left to the university to provide scholarships to give poorer students a chance at higher education. The amount was roughly $150,000, surprising given her humble occupation. McCarty quit school in the 6th grade to care for a childless homebound aunt. She never returned to school. Young Oseola …show more content…

She opened her first savings account at First Mississippi National Bank, and over the years she opened several other accounts at area banks including Trustmark National Bank. As her savings accumulated over the years she appointed Trustmark as trustee and executor of her estate. McCarty never owned a car- she walked a mile to the grocery store pushing a cart. She did not subscribe to any newspaper, considering it an access extravagence. Although she did own a black and white television, she only received the broadcast chanels. In 1947, her uncle gave her the house she would live in until her death. The money she recieved when her mother passed away was placed into savings as well- honoring the woman who empowered her to control her money all those years ago. Eventually Trustmark Bank employees noticed McCarty's savings account, and began to assist her in planning her estate. Bank employees and other friends were so impressed by her unique situation and generous plans for her hard earned savings that they convinced McCarty to splurge on two small window air conditioners for her house and cable television service- a rare

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