Develop a Discipleship System
SPARK: What is a Philanthropist?
By Ken Sloane
Who do you think of when you hear the word “philanthropist”? Bill and Melinda Gates? Andrew Carnegie, who gave money to build 1,600 libraries across the U.S.? I think of Miss Oseola McCarty. What? Never heard of her?
Oseola McCarty's life story is a testament to the transformative power of generosity, regardless of one's circumstances. Born into challenging conditions on March 7, 1908, in Mississippi, McCarty faced adversity from the outset. Raised by her grandmother and aunt, she learned the value of hard work and self-reliance from a young age.
Despite lacking formal education beyond sixth grade, McCarty embraced work with a fervor rarely seen. She found joy and purpose in her labor, believing that every task could be performed with dignity and quality, no matter how humble. Her dedication to her craft as a washerwoman, scrubbing clothes by hand with meticulous care, exemplified her commitment to excellence.
McCarty's frugality and steadfast work ethic enabled her to accumulate savings throughout her life, despite earning modest wages. Her disciplined approach to saving, coupled with contentment with what she had, allowed her to amass a significant sum by the time she retired at age 86.
What sets McCarty apart, however, is not just her thriftiness or work ethic, but her profound generosity of spirit. In a remarkable act of philanthropy, she donated the majority of her life savings—$150,000—to establish a scholarship fund at the University of Southern Mississippi. This selfless gesture, born out of a desire to help others achieve the education she never had, touched the lives of countless students and inspired a wave of generosity in her community and beyond.
What sets McCarty apart, however, is not just her thriftiness or work ethic, but her profound generosity of spirit.
Others have been so inspired by McCarty’s generosity that contributions have been given to build on the Oseola McCarty Scholarship fund, raising the principal in the fund over $600,000; on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the gift, a goal of $1,000,000 was set for the fund, so that each year, twenty students could receive scholarships of $2,000 – all made possible by an amazing woman whose education never made it past the sixth grade.
McCarty's story reminds us that philanthropy is not limited to the wealthy or privileged. Regardless of their background or means, anyone can make a difference through acts of kindness and generosity. McCarty’s legacy lives on not only through the scholarships that bear her name but also in the countless lives she touched with her example of compassion and giving.
Oseola McCarty's life offers a beacon of hope and inspiration in a world often plagued by division and strife. Her simple yet profound belief that "I can't do everything. But I can do something to help somebody" serves as a reminder that each of us has the power to make a positive impact, no matter how small. As we celebrate her remarkable legacy, may we be inspired to follow in her footsteps, spreading kindness and generosity wherever we go.
Ken Sloane is the Director of Stewardship & Generosity for Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
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