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News of McCarty’s gift inspired many. Media mogul Ted Turner was so moved by her gesture that he pledged $1 billion of his fortune to the United Nations. McCarty became a mild celebrity, was invited to the White House and even carried the Olympic torch for the 1996 Summer Games. That same year, she helped dropped the New Year’s Eve ball in Times Square.

In 1997, McCarty explained why she decided to gift Southern Miss in 1995 despite never having visited the school prior to her decision.

“I had been thinking for a long time, since I was in school, I wanted to give it to the college,” McCarty told the Los Angeles Times in 1997. “They used to not let colored people go out there, but now they do, and I think they should have it. I just want the scholarship to go to some child who needs it. I’m too old to get an education, but they can.”

Over four dozen students have received the McCarty grant to attend Southern Miss and contributions to the fund are still ongoing.

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 (Photo: You Tube Screenshot) 

Little Known Black History Fact: Oseola McCarty  was originally published on blackamericaweb.com

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