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Collection Title: McCarty (Oseola) Collection

Press Release:

OSEOLA McCARTY'S LIFE TO BE CELEBRATED
USM University Relations
Released September 27, 1999

Oseola McCarty, the humble washerwoman who became USM's most famous benefactor, will be buried in Hattiesburg Saturday, Oct. 2, 1999 following a celebration of her life at the Hattiesburg campus.

The body of McCarty, 91, who died Sept. 26 of complications from liver cancer, will lie in the rotunda of the Lucas Administration Building that day from 9 a.m. until noon for a public visitation. A "Celebration of the Life of Oseola McCarty" for the Southern Miss community and general public will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at USM's Bennett Auditorium.

Funeral services for family, close friends and church members will be held at 2 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, 700 S. Tipton St., where McCarty was a member for many years. Burial will follow the service at Hattiesburg's Highland Park Cemetery on West 7th Street.

McCarty was diagnosed with liver cancer Sept. 7 after undergoing unrelated minor surgery at Hattiesburg's Forrest General Hospital. Her public appearances had been sharply curtailed since she underwent surgery in 1998 for a cancerous colon tumor. The soft-spoken Mississippian, who read her tattered Bible most every day, died at 6:35 p.m. Sunday at the small, wooden-frame Hattiesburg home where she had lived and worked for most of her life. She had been under 24-hour nursing care.

McCarty's lifelong work ethic and generous heart drew global attention after it was announced in July of 1995 that she would will $150,000 of her life's savings to Southern Miss to provide scholarships for deserving students in need of financial assistance to continue their education.

She received scores of awards and other honors recognizing her unselfish spirit; and President Bill Clinton presented her with a Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation's second highest civilian award, during a special White House Ceremony. She also won the United Nation's coveted Avicenna Medal for educational commitment.

"People in Hattiesburg call her donation the `Gift'," Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times correspondent Rick Bragg wrote after interviewing McCarty in August of 1995. "She made it, in part, in anticipation of her death. As she sat in her warm, dark living room, she talked of that death matter-of-factly, the same way she talked about the possibility of an afternoon thundershower.

"To her, the Gift was a preparation, like closing the bedroom windows to keep the rain from blowing in on the bedspread. `I know it won't be too many years before I pass on,' she said, `and I just figured the money would do them a lot more good than it would me'," wrote Bragg, a native Southerner who also mentioned McCarty in his best-selling autobiography, All Over but the Shoutin'.

After the story of McCarty's $150,000 gift to Southern Miss became widely known, her life changed dramatically. From a world she had measured in city blocks for most her life, she traveled throughout the country to receive honors and do media interviews.

Amazingly, she had earned the $150,000 -- representing about 60 percent of her life's savings -- washing and ironing other people's clothes for 75 years before retiring in December of 1994.

McCarty's gift, willed to the university in an irrevocable trust administered by the USM Foundation, sparked a matching fund-raising drive that had raised more than $330,000 at the time of her death. The donations were channeled into the Oseola McCarty Endowed Scholarship Fund, which already has provided Southern Miss scholarships for nine students -- three of whom have graduated.

The woman who rarely left her house -- except for weekly trips to the grocery store and church -- never married nor learned to drive a car. She always dreamed about becoming a nurse, but had to drop out of school after the sixth grade to help support her mother, grandmother and an aunt.

After her gift to Southern Miss became widely known, McCarty appeared on every major TV network; was written about in such national publications as People Magazine, Newsweek, Time, Life magazine and the New York Times; and received honorary doctorates from Harvard University and Southern Miss.

This past summer, she was voted Mississippi's Humanitarian of the Century in a survey of more than 500 readers of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, the state's largest newspaper. McCarty spent much of the past few years receiving awards and making personal appearances all across the country -- encouraging youths to work hard and save their money, and receiving an outpouring of love and appreciation wherever she journeyed.

Her first book, Simple Wisdom for Rich Living, was published by Longstreet Press in 1996. A second book, The Riches of Oseola McCarty, written by Evelyn Coleman and illustrated by Daniel Minter, was published by Albert Whitman and Company in 1998.

Simple Wisdom is a collection of McCarty's views and sayings on work, faith, saving, relationships and good living.

On work: "I knew there were people who didn't have to work as hard as I did, but it didn't make me feel sad. I loved to work, and when you love to do anything, those things don't bother you."

On saving money: "A smart person plans for the future. You never know what kind of emergency will come up, and you can't rely on the government to meet all your needs. You have to take responsibility for yourself."

On good living: "There's a lot of talk about self-esteem these days. It seems pretty basic to me. If you want to feel proud of yourself, you've got to do things you can be proud of. Feelings follow actions."

"Her life, her thrift and her generosity have inspired millions," said USM Public Relations Director Bud Kirkpatrick, who had worked closely with McCarty in coordinating her personal appearances and media interviews since 1995.

Family members have asked that contributions, in lieu of flowers, be made to the Oseola McCarty Endowed Scholarship fund, administered by the USM Foundation. For more information, contact the USM Development at (601) 266-5602.

Oral History Interview: Copy of transcript available in the McCain Library, call number F341.5 .M57 vol. 657.

Photograph Log: Consult Archives staff.

Books:

Copies of books and video tapes by and about Oseola McCarty are available in the Cook, McCain, and Cox Libraries:

Oseola McCarty: The Gift [videorecording] (Hattiesburg, Miss.: The University, 1995), call number LB2336.3.M7 O73 1995 (Cook).

McCarty, Oseola, Oseola McCarty's Simple Wisdom for Rich Living (Atlanta, Ga.: Longstreet Press, 1996), call number E185.97.M43 A25 1996 (McCain).

Coleman, Evelyn, The Riches of Oseola McCarty, illustrated by (Morton Gorve, Ill.: Albert Whitman, 1998), call number F349 .H36 M383 1998 (Cook, McCain, Cox).

Children's books by Richard and Ruth Matsuura were presented by the authors to Miss McCarty, who inscribed them and donated them to the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection in the McCain Library. See under 'Matsuura, Richard' in the USM Libraries' online catalog ANNA.

Accession Number: AM 95-14

Dates: 1918, 1989-1995

Volume: ca. 2.50 cu.ft.

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

Books:

  1. Child of the Winds by Agnes Adachi, c. 1989 (autographed)

  2. Wise Raoul by Agnes Adachi, c. 1990 (autographed)

  3. Baby of the Family by Tina McElroy Ansa, c. 1989 (autographed)

  4. Ugly Ways by Tina McElroy Ansa, c. 1993 (autographed)

Certificates:

  1. Framed quotation from I Corinthians, chapter 13, presented by the Afro-American Student Organization (1995)

  2. Scroll presented by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (11/30/95)

  3. Presidential Citizens Medal Certificate, signed by President Clinton (9/23/95)

  4. Framed Honorary Alumnae Certificate presented by the USM Alumni Association (8/31/95)

  5. Framed Proclamation presented by the City of Hattiesburg (9/10/95)

  6. Framed certificate presented by Governor Kirk Fordice (8/21/95)

  7. Certificate for Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award (11/14/95)

Correspondence:

  1. Note from Ann Clark Gray and Jim (undated)

  2. Letter from Carrie Cook and Carla Marcus of ABC News' Barbara Walters Specials (10/17/95)

  3. Christmas card from President and Mrs. Clinton (Dec. 1995)

  4. Letter from Mary Elizabeth (Tipper) Gore (12/05/95)

  5. Letter from Virginia L. Dunaway, Executive Director of the Women's Foundation of Greater Memphis (11/28/95)

  6. Note and card from Tina McElroy Ansa (9/22/95)

  7. Framed letter from President Clinton (8/25/95)

  8. Invitation to Governor Kirk Fordice's Inauguration.

Medals:

  1. Case and holder for UNESCO Gold Medal presented November 30, 1995 (medal is missing)

  2. Case and medallion presented by the National Institute of Social Sciences (1995)

  3. Presidential Citizens Medals (3) and case presented on September 23, 1995

  4. Golden Eagle pin worn by Miss McCarty for her meeting with Governor Kirk Fordice (in case with Presidential Medals)

  5. Golden Eagle pin given to Miss McCarty by Dr. Aubrey Lucas (in case with Presidential Medals)

Photographs (6)

Plaques:

  1. Plaque presented by the Grace Love Headstart Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (11/09/95)

  2. Plaque presented by the Institute for Learning in Retirement at the University of Southern Mississippi (12/06/95)

  3. Plaque presented by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Mu Xi Chapter (12/02/95)

  4. Plaque presented by the USM Alumni Association (1995)

Trophies:

  1. Lifetime Achievement of Philanthropy trophy (1995)

  2. Crystal trophy presented by the National Urban League (11/14/95)

  3. Living Legacy Award, presented by the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc.

Other:

  1. Copy of article in The Congressional Record (8/09/95)

  2. Copy of article in The Congressional Record (9/15/95)

  3. Program of the 39th Annual Equal Opportunity Day Dinner of the National Urban League (11/14/95)

  4. Newsclipping from the Memphis Commercial Appeal (9/23/95 - 2 copies)

  5. Envelope addressed to Mrs. S.H. Tyre, 112 North 21st Avenue, Hattiesburg, Mississippi (9/25/95)

  6. Pamphlet honoring Oseola McCarty, published by the USM Foundation (1995 - 2 copies)

  7. Program for the Grace Love Center's "Miss Oseola McCarty Appreciation Day" (11/09/95)

  8. Framed copy of a magazine cover to be used on a new publication, "The American Benefactor" (1995)

  9. Ballpoint pen used by President Clinton to sign the Presidential Citizens Medal Certificate (9/23/95)

  10. Guest Book from reception held by the City of Hattiesburg (9/10/95)

  11. Program for the City of Hattiesburg Reception (9/10/95)

  12. 17" x 23" framed color print of a painting entitled "Our Children = Our Destiny" by Pat Richardson, signed and numbered by the artist, # 30 of 100 (1995)

Accession Number: AM 96-1

Dates: 1989-1995

Volume: .10 cu.ft.

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

Correspondence, envelopes, certificate, pamphlet, and other items. See list above.

Accession Number: AM 96-2

Dates: 1995

Volume: 3 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Living Legacy Award presented by the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc.

  2. Letter accompanying award

  3. Invitation to the Inauguration of Gov. Kirk Fordice

Accession Number: AM 96-3

Dates: 1995

Volume: 3 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Letter and two brochures from the National Caring Institute in Washington, DC

  2. Audio cassette of song entitled "The Gift of Oseola McCarty (Ya Never Know What Ya Can Do Till Ya Try)" by Daryl Grant Lindsay and Bob Russo, performed by male vocalist with piano

Accession Number: AM 96-4

Dates: 1995-1996

Volume: 1.50 cu.ft.

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Framed certificate: African American Family Preservation Award (February 16, 1996)

  2. Plaque: Harriet Tubman Award (January 12, 1996)

  3. Plaque: 1995 Humanitarian Award from the Forrest County NAACP (January 14, 1996)

  4. Plaque: Presented by Congressman Gene Taylor (January 18, 1996)

  5. Plaque: Omega Psi Phi, Phi Rho Chapter - Scroll of Honor (November 19, 1995)

  6. Plaque: African American Family Preservation Award (February 15, 1996)

  7. Plaque: Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta - for Outstanding Contribution to Education (February 28, 1996)

  8. The Philadelphia Bowl: Presented by Mayor Edward G. Rendell, City of Philadelphia (February 15, 1996)

  9. Proclamation: From the office of Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, D.C. (February 14, 1996)

  10. NFBWBO award: To "Premier Black Women of Courage" (February 14, 1996)

Accession Number: AM 96-17

Dates: 1995-1996

Volume: 28 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. 1996 Ethel Percy Andrus Award presented by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) on May 22, 1996: "Flame" in a wooden base, covered by a glass dome.

  2. 15" silverplated tray with handles, presented by Conva Rest Northgate, naming Miss McCarty an "Honorary Senior Citizen."

  3. Aetna Voice of Conscience Award presented May 1, 1996: Crystal sculpture, seated in a plastic base.

  4. Ms. Woman of the Year Award: Transparent vertical rectangle, angled at the top, with violet, white, and silver accents.

  5. 1996 Essence Award: Glass trapezoid with black base. A medallion featuring a female profile appears to "float" in the center of the trophy.

  6. USM President's Circle Bowl, with wooden base.

  7. Mississippi Association of Educators "Friend of Education" plaque, presented March 1996: Apple-shaped wooden plaque with pewter-like stem, leaves, and presentation plate.

  8. 1996 Humanitarian Award, presented by the Mississippi Democratic Party, Fifth Congressional District: Wooden plaque with brass plate and black lettering, featuring a map of Mississippi.

  9. Human and Civil Rights "Humanized Education Award" presented by the Mississippi Association of Educators on March 11, 1996: Wooden plaque with dark blue plate and gold lettering.

  10. 1996 State Democratic Humanitarian Award, presented by the Democratic Party of Mississippi: Wooden plaque with brass plate and gold lettering, featuring a map of Mississippi.

  11. Framed Certificate of Appreciation presented by the USM Student Nurses Association on March 21, 1996.

  12. "Miss Oseola McCarty Day" Proclamation issued by the Wayne County (Mississippi) Board of Supervisors, April 1996.

  13. Award of Distinction presented by the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) on March 30, 1996: Wooden plaque with brass plate, gold lettering, featuring an engraving of the Lyceum Building at Ole Miss.

  14. Giant Print King James World Bible with black, imitation leather cover: presented by Cecilia Cunningham, 1995.

  15. Giant Print Nelson King James Reference Bible with black leatherflex cover: presented by Symba Smith on December 7, 1995.

  16. Giant Print King James Reference Bible with black, bonded leather cover: presented by the Ebonette Club of Clarke and Wayne Counties on April 14, 1996. Included with this Bible is a poem written in honor of Miss McCarty for "Miss Oseola McCarty Day" in Wayne County.

  17. Book: The Greatest Salesman in the World by O.C. Mandino. Presented by Bill Peden on September 26, 1995.

  18. Book: Think and Grow Rich, a Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro and Napoleon Hill. Autographed by Hill on December 15, 1995.

  19. Book: Daily Motivations for African-American Success by Dennis Kimbro. Autographed on December 15, 1995.

  20. Book: Days of Grace: a Memoir by Arthur Ashe and Arnold Rampersad.

  21. Book: Bus Ride to Justice by Fred Gray (attorney for Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, and Others). Autographed on September 27, 1995.

  22. 5 x 7 black and white photograph of Miss Oseola McCarty with 4th grade students at Public School No. 70 in New York City on November 13, 1995.

  23. Four 4 x 6 color photographs of students at Public School No. 78, Bronx, New York.

  24. 4 x 6 color photograph of Sue Kirkland's 7th grade English class at Becker School in Monroe County, Mississippi, April 1996.

  25. Copy of Olympic Torch Route through Columbia, Mississippi on Saturday, May 25, 1996.

  26. Citation from the City Council of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania presented on February 15, 1996: In dark blue portfolio bearing the gold seal of Philadelphia and gold cord trim.

  27. General correspondence, plus a group of letters from students at Public School No. 78, Bronx, New York.

  28. Two copies of the bylaws of the Hattiesburg Zoological Society, Inc.

Accession Number: AM 96-31

Dates: 1996

Volume: 5 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Certificate: Honorary member of the Century Division (June 4, 1996)

  2. Certificate: Founders Memorial Award presented by the Mississipi Religious Leadership Conference (February 6, 1996)

  3. Article: "Heroes for Today", reprinted from Readers' Digest (March 1996)

  4. Levi Straus denim jacket with red rose and slogan "It Ain't Nothin' But a She Thing" embroidered on the back

  5. White organdy nurse's cap in hat box

Accession Number: AM 96-36

Dates: 1996

Volume: items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

  1. Key to the City of Columbia, Mississippi and accompanying certificate, presented May 25, 1996.

  2. Olympic Torch carried by Ms. McCarty in Columbia, Mississippi, May 1996.

  3. Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Harvard University, presented June 6, 1996).

  4. 30" x 48" banner used to greet Ms. McCarty after receiving her honorary Harvard doctorate.

  5. Certificate of Appreciation and accompanying documents presented by the 1996 Sisterhood Outreach Summit and Showcase in Memphis, Tennessee on June 1, 1996.

  6. Honorary Diploma in Nursing from Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis, Tennessee (6/2/96).

  7. Framed 22" x 25" photographic reproduction of an exhibit by artist Russell A. Murray entitled "Ms. Oseola's Gift", consisting of a man's white shirt, an electric iron, a Bible, a clothesline and clothespins, a washboard and a quotation by Ms. McCarty.

  8. 5" x 7" print by Russell A. Murray entitled "Sweet Potato Pie".

Accession Number: AM 96-55

Dates: 1996

Volume: 3 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Plaque: Presented by Miss McCarty's home church, Friendship Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

  2. Award: Wooden ironing board placed upright in wooden base, presented by Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Memphis, Tennessee (June 2, 1996)

  3. Award: National Association of Black Journalists' Community Service Award (August 23, 1996)

Accession Number: AM 96-56

Dates: 1996

Volume: .10 cu.ft.

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Five fan letters written to Miss McCarty

  2. National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc. newsletter "Golden Page" (Fall 1996)

  3. Copy of "This I Believe" (individuals profiled by Voices of America in 1996)

Accession Number: AM 96-66

Dates: ca. 1920s-1996

Volume: 22 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

Awards:

  1. Women's Foundation of Greater Memphis Award: diamond-shaped glass trophy with wooden base (Nov. 20, 1996).

  2. National Education Association Proclamation: Wood and brass plaque (1996).

  3. Humanitarian Award presented by the Ministry of Human Concerns, Community Church of Morrisania, Bronx, NY: Wood and brass plaque (1996).

  4. Proclamation (in portfolio) presented by the president of the Borough of the Bronx, Fernando Ferrer (Oct. 19, 1996).

  5. Proclamation (framed) presented by the president of the Borough of Manhattan, Ruth W. Messinger (oct. 19, 1996).

  6. Certificate presented by Youth Mobilization's "Safe Streets Campaign", Tacoma Washington (1996).

  7. Philanthropic Award, presented by Tacoma Chapter, "The Links, Inc.": Brass and wood plaque (Oct. 1996).

Books:

  1. The Hand I Fan With, by Tina McElroy Ansa (autographed) (1996).

  2. Hymns for the Family of God, presented by the Community Church of Morrisania (1996).

Artifacts:

  1. One galvanized washtub used by Miss McCarty during her career as a laundress.

  2. One cast iron wash pot used by Miss McCarty during her career as a laundress.

  3. One standard size washboard used by Miss McCarty during her career as a laundress.

  4. One small washboard (for delicate items) used by Miss McCarty during her career as a laundress.

  5. One standard size new washboard.

Miscellaneous Items:

  1. One white T-shirt with a black and white image of Miss McCarty on front, and a large round lapel pin featuring the same image (1996).

  2. Framed poem entitled "What's in a name?" presented by the Community Church of Morrisania (1996).

  3. Framed photograph of Miss McCarty, with text. Presented by Tacoma links (1996).

  4. Red and white crocheted book mark in the shape of a cross.

  5. One copy of The New York Times (Nov. 12, 1996).

  6. Article from The Detroit Free Press entitled "Miss McCarty's Turn" (Nov. 14, 1996).

  7. Article from The Cincinnati Enquirer entitled "Humility Captures Hearts" (Nov. 13, 1996).

  8. Three pieces of correspondence (1996).

Accession Number: AM 97-12

Dates: 1996

Volume: 1 item

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Copy of Miss McCarty's book Simple Wisdom for Rich Living (Marietta, Ga.: Longstreet Press, Inc., 1996)

Accession Number: AM 97-20

Dates: 1996-1997

Volume: 33 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Framed Resolution of Appreciation and Commendation presented by Committee for a Coast-Wide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration (Jan. 19, 1997)

  2. Collage made from media photographs and a 5th grade student's report on Miss McCarty, presented by the Long Beach (CA) Community Partnership Town Hall Meeting (Feb. 3, 1997)

  3. Proclamation of the Board of Trustees of the Long Beach (CA) Community College District (Feb. 3, 1997)

  4. Certificate of Recognition presented by Long Beach, CA (Feb. 3, 1997)

  5. Letter from U.S. Congressman Stephen Horn, 38th District, California (1997)

  6. Letter from Long Beach (CA) Councilwoman and Vice Mayor, Doris Topsy-Elvord (Feb. 3, 1997)

  7. Copy of "Sharing the Strength, a Pictorial Celebration of Women" in which Miss McCarty is featured. Published by the Women's Foundation of Greater Memphis (1996)

  8. 1996 Annual Report of Union Rescue Mission

  9. Bulletin from St. Paul A.M.E. Church (Feb. 2, 1997)

  10. Resolution of the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in honor of Black History Month (Feb. 20, 1997)

  11. Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Juanita Millender McDonald, member of Congress (Feb. 3, 1997)

  12. Framed poem by eight-year-old Hattiesburg student, Jen-Na Brown (Jan. 3, 1997)

  13. Certificate of Recognition from the City of Tacoma, WA (Oct. 26, 1996)

  14. Four 8 x 10 color photographs of Miss McCarty in a nurse's uniform (ca. 1996)

  15. Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences (Memphis, TN) brochure (ca. 1996)

  16. Certificate of Recognition from the California State Senate honoring Miss McCarty's selection as Grand Marshal of San Bernardino's 28th annual Black History Parade (Feb. 1, 1997)

  17. Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly (Jan. 31, 1997)

  18. Ceramic Award: A pair of hands holding a black rose, mounted on a black base. Presented in honor of Miss McCarty as honorary grand marshal of San Bernardino's 1997 Black History Parade. Presented by San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation

  19. Plaque: Most Extraordinary Citizen, presented by Los Angeles County, CA (Feb. 3, 1997)

  20. Plaque: Presented by U.S. Naval Home (Feb. 28, 1997)

  21. Plaque: Case District III Advancement Awards Competition (1997)

  22. Plaque: A Tribute to the "First Lady of Education" presented by Provisional Educational Services, Inc., Dr. Mildred D. Henry, Director (1997)

  23. Plaque: National Night of Honors Lifetime Achievement Award (Dec. 27, 1996)

  24. Framed resolution to confer the title of honorary nurse on Oseola McCarty presented by the Mississippi Nurses Association (1996)

  25. Framed certificate: Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Theta Zeta Omega Chapter, Humanitarian of the Year Award (Jan. 17, 1997)

  26. Framed certificate: Honorary Special Educator of the Year presented by the Jackson County School District (Jan. 17, 1997)

  27. Framed resolution from San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors (Jan. 17, 1997)

  28. Framed Poem: "You Must Be An Angel" by Brandy Grantham and Tracey Green (Jan. 17, 1997)

  29. Framed certificate of Appreciation from Gautier (MS) High School (Jan. 17, 1997)

  30. Framed drawing of a descending dove (undated)

  31. Black lucite award presented by the Public Education Network (Nov. 10, 1996)

  32. oster for maternal health program, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health (ca. 1997)

  33. Poster promoting sale of Miss Oseola McCarty's book Simple Wisdom for Rich Living by the Long Beach Community Partnership, Inc. (ca. 1997)

Accession Number: AM 97-25

Dates: 1997

Volume: 12 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Harvard Magazine, March/April, 1997.

  2. Framed proclamation from the City of Cincinnati, Ohio (March 11, 1997)

  3. Plaque presented by Masjid A1'Halim New Medinah (March, 1997)

  4. Framed life membership in the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (1997)

  5. Framed certificate from The American Benefactor magazine (March 11, 1997)

  6. Framed proclamation of the Mayor of Wyoming, Ohio (March 10, 1997)

  7. Framed 6 x 9 watercolor of Weidmann's Restaurant in Meridian, Mississippi (1997)

  8. Ink pen and holder from Turner Broadcasting System (1997)

  9. Key to the City of Jackson, Mississippi (1997)

  10. Key to the City of Cincinnati, Ohio (March, 1997)

  11. Two wooden crosses presented by the Franciscan Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio (March, 1997)

  12. Program from Alpha Kappa Alpha's salute to African American Women (March 24, 1997)

Accession Number: AM 97-28

Dates: 1996

Volume: 5 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Certificate, lapel pin, and correspondence concerning Miss McCarty's participation in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay, presented by the Coca-Cola Company and the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games

Accession Number: AM 97-35

Dates: 1996-1997

Volume: 10 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Glass trophy presented by The American Association of Blacks in Energy, Mississippi Chapter (May 13, 1997)

  2. Glass compote presented by Jackson State University (April 15, 1997)

Plaques:

  1. Wood plaque with key to the City of San Bernardino, California (February 1, 1997)

  2. Wood plaque presented by EURO, Inc. (July 7, 1996)

  3. Wood and brass plaque presented by Mississippi Head Start Association (May 1, 1997)

Certificates:

  1. Commendation by Mississippi Governor Kirk Fordice (January 24, 1997)

  2. Distinguished Achievement Award presented by Alcorn State University (May 10, 1997)

Playbills:

  1. "Smokey Joe's Cafe"

  2. "The King and I"

  3. Pamphlet: "American Association of Blacks in Energy Seventh Annual Scholarship Banquet" (May 13, 1997)

Accession Number: AM 97-37

Dates: 1997

Volume: 2 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Award: Jefferson Award presented by the American Institute for Public Service

  2. Award: 1997 Woman of the Year award presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Accession Number: AM 97-77

Dates: 1997

Volume: 3 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Award: 1997 Humanitarian Award presented by the Pine Belt Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO (October 9, 1997)

  2. Award: 1997 Creme de la Creme award presented by radio station WAML in Laurel, Mississippi

  3. Award: Community Distinguished Service Award presented by Workers Helping Youth in Gulfport, Mississippi (September 27, 1997)

Accession Number: AM 97-80

Dates: 1997

Volume: 4 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Award: 1997 Distinguished African American Woman award presented by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity

  2. Award: Distinguished Humanitarian Award presented by the National Council of Negro Women (November 8, 1997)

  3. Plaque: Honorary member of the Hawkins Junior High School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (November 4, 1997) 4. Award: The 1997 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the National Alliance of Black School Educators

Accession Number: AM 98-24

Dates: 1998

Volume: 22 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Twenty-one handmade birthday cards from Mrs. F. Ann Wilson's second grade class at Pangborn Elementary School in Hagerstown, Maryland, celebrating Miss McCarty's ninetieth birthday on March 7, 1998
  2. Letter from Mrs. Wilson explaining why her students decided to make the cards

Accession Number: AM 98-55

Dates: 1995-1998

Volume: ca. 20 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. One pair white nurses'shoes
  2. White nurses' uniform
  3. American flag, flown over the U.S. Capitol, June 27, 1995
  4. Key to the City of Beaumont, Texas (framed - March 1998)
  5. Hand drawn "Welcome to Detroit" poster
  6. Two posters from the Detroit Museum of African American History
  7. Banner welcoming Miss McCarty to the University of Pittsburgh
  8. 263-ounce Tide detergent box, signed by employees of Proctor and Gamble during Miss McCarty's visit to their plant in Cincinnati, Ohio
  9. Wine glass and royal blue cloth napkin from the 25th Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.

Plaques presented by:

  1. Stennis Space Center (February 26, 1998)
  2. Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses' State Association (May 2, 1998)
  3. Sojourner Foundation, Detroit (March 25, 1998)
  4. Ben Rogers/Lamar University (March 31, 1998)
  5. Candler Black Student Caucus (1997-1998)

Proclamations/Resolutions-presented by:

  1. City of Beaumont, Texas (March 31, 1998)
  2. Detroit Board of Education
  3. University of Pittsburgh (February 17, 1998)

Other:

  1. Several certificates and items of correspondence

Accession Number: AM 98-67

Dates: 1998

Volume: 1 item

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Certificate: Presented by the U.S. Department of Labor (July 30, 1998)

Accession Number: AM 98-78

Dates: 1998

Volume: 1 item

Given By: Mr. W.E. "Bud" Kirkpatrick.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Copy of the book The Power of Character, edited by Michael S. Josephson and Wes Hanson (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1998), in which Miss McCarty is featured in an essay entitled "Living the Clean, Clean Life"

Accession Number: AM 98-87

Dates: 1998

Volume: 1 item

Given By: Ms. Evelyn Coleman.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Copy of the book The Riches of Oseola McCarty by Evelyn Coleman, illustrated by Daniel Minter (Morton Gorve, Ill.: Albert Whitman, 1998)

Accession Number: AM 99-115

Dates: 1995-1999

Volume: 33 items

Given By: Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. A 33" x 45" framed salute from J.C. Penney Company in honor of Miss McCarty's reception of the 1996 Essence Award. (May 1996)
  2. A 5" x 7" glass "Southern Living" Award, plus a two-piece plastic stand. (undated)
  3. A 14" x 18" matted and framed photograph of Miss Oseola McCarty on her front porch. The photo is featured in the 1999 Aetna African American History calendar.
  4. A 14" x 16" matted and framed collage featuring a 5.5" x 8" photograph of President and Mrs. Bill Clinton, a letter from Mr. Clinton wishing Miss McCarty a Happy 90th birthday (3/6/98), and a letter from Mr. Clinton expressing sympathy as Miss McCarty recovered from surgery (4/28/98).
  5. Eight birthday cards (1999).
  6. Two "Thinking of You" greeting cards (1999).
  7. One USM College of the Arts note card (1999).
  8. One Christmas gift card from USM's Office of the President (undated).
  9. One letter to Bud Kirkpatrick from YWCA Executive Director, Wenda Owen (6/24/98).
  10. A 10.5" x 12" gold-trimmed, navy photograph album with 57 pages of photographs, plus newspaper and magazine articles and copies of USM press releases. (mixed dates)
  11. Nation Builder Award: A 7.5" x 9" ceramic statuette of Harriet Tubman presented to Miss McCarty on December 5, 1996, by the 20th Annual Conference of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.
  12. Ageless Heroes Award: A circular glass award on a stand presented to Miss McCarty by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi in 1998.
  13. An octagonal glass award on a stand presented by the National Conference on Black Philanthropy, Oakland, California (5/18/99)
  14. An 8" x 10" wood and brass plaque presented to Miss McCarty by Ebenezer Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS (12/13/99).
  15. AWRC Lifetime Achievement Award: A gold and white plastic trophy (1999).
  16. A five-inch high wooden Golden Eagle figure (3/21/96).
  17. A 12" x 15" wood, brass, and plastic plaque presented to Miss McCarty by the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus (1/25/96).
  18. A Lord King round clock mounted in a 10.5" x 15" wooden enclosure, presented by the Irma L. Henderson Institute (3/23/98).
  19. An 8.5" x 18" washboard presented by the Fountain of Pembroke Pines (3/20/98).
  20. A 4.5" x 8.5" matted and framed angel and scripture passage presented by Springhill Church (undated).
  21. A 7" x 9" wood and brass "Humanitarian Award" plaque presented by the 15th Annual Juneteenth Banquet (1999).
  22. A small, round, Howard Miller clock in a brass and glass setting presented by P & G. (undated).
  23. A 2.5" x 3.5" photograph of Miss McCarty as a child, along with several other people, in a lead and glass frame (undated).
  24. 1998 YWCA Distinguished Woman of Achievement Award: A small, round, Bulova clock in a 4" x 5" triangular brass setting (undated).
  25. 13.5" x 15.5" matted and framed USM Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree presented to Miss McCarty on May 15, 1998.
  26. A 15" x 18" matted and framed "Ageless Heroes" Award presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi (undated).
  27. Three loose, color photographs (undated).
  28. An 8" x 10" framed Certificate of Recognition from Friendship Baptist Church (9/27/95)
  29. An 8" x 10" framed Certificate of Appreciation from Shady Grove Baptist Church (2/21 /99).
  30. A 13" x 15" matted and framed copy of a letter from President Bill Clinton (8/25/95).
  31. A 15" x 17" matted and framed Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award (11/14/95).
  32. A 14" x 16" matted and framed copy of a commendation presented to Miss McCarty by Governor Kirk Fordice (8/21/95).
  33. Drum Major for Justice Award: A 12" x 15" wood and brass plaque (4/4/96).

Accession Number: AM 99-116

Dates: 1998

Volume: 1 item

Given By: Mr. Rick Bragg.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Copy of the book All Over But the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg (New York: Vintage Books, 1998), autographed by the author for presentation to Miss McCarty, who died before the presentation could be made

Accession Number: AM 99-119

Dates: 1999

Volume: 1 item

Given By: USM University Relations.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Framed article about Miss McCarty entitled "Angels" from the 25th anniversary issue of People Magazine

Accession Number: AM 99-120

Dates: 1999

Volume: 3 items

Given By: USM Office of the President.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Letter from Senator Trent Lott expressing sympathy on the death of Miss McCarty (September 30, 1999)
  2. Copy of the Congressional Record containing remarks of Senator Lott on the life and death of Miss McCarty entitled "The Life of a Mississippi Philanthropist Should be an Example For Us All" (September 28, 1999)
  3. Copy of Senator Lott's Congressional Record remarks on special paper

Accession Number: AM 99-125

Dates: 1999

Volume: 1 item

Given By: USM University Relations.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Video cassette taped by USM University Relations on the occasion of Miss McCarty's death, including her lying in state in the rotunda of the Lucas Administration Building, a display of her awards and memorabilia in the President's Conference Room in the Lucas Building, the memorial service held in Bennett Auditorium at USM, and her funeral service at Friendship Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (October 2, 1999)

Accession Number: AM 2000-11

Dates: 1999

Volume: 1 item

Given By: USM Office of the President.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. 18.5" x 16" plywood "postcard" with the American flag painted on one side and Miss McCarty's address on the other, sent via the U.S. Postal Service by the Reverends H. Milton Cole, Jr. and Mary E. DuVall of Wilmington, Delaware (postmarked September 29, 1999)

Accession Number: AM 2000-14

Dates: ca. 1995-1999

Volume: 4 cu.ft.

Given By: USM University Relations.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Resolution: By California Legislative Black Caucus (1997)
  2. African American History calendar for 1998
  3. Files maintained by USM University Relations on Miss McCarty, including travel arrangements, correspondence, publications, newsclippings, photographs, audio and video cassettes (see University Archives)

Accession Number: AM 2000-22

Dates: 2000

Volume: 1 item

Given By: USM Office of the President.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

This accession includes:

  1. Award: Woman of Strength and Courage Award presented by American Legacy Magazine and BellSouth (February 24, 2000)

Accession Number: AM 2000-50

Volume: 1 cu.ft.

Given By: The estate of Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

Photographs, wall hangings, guest register, greeting cards, small cross-stitched pillow, and miscellaneous documents.

Accession Number: AM 2000-55

Dates: 1999

Volume: 1 item

Given By: Ms. Kimberly Chambers.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

Poster about the life of Miss McCarty, designed by Ms. Kimberly Chambers, a seventh grade student in Clinton, Mississippi.

Accession Number: AM 2000-69

Volume: 2 cu.ft.

Given By: The estate of Miss Oseola McCarty.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

Photograph albums, loose photographs, correspondence, greeting cards, newsclippings, copies of publications featuring articles about Miss McCarty, Bibles, personal items, and the hood worn by Miss McCarty when she received her honorary degree from USM.

Accession Number: AM 2000-72

Dates: 2000

Volume: 22 items

Given By: Ms. Diane Ross.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

Photographs taken by Ms. Diane Ross during Ms. Kimberly Chambers' presentation to the USM Archives on May 15, 2000 of a poster she made about the life of Miss McCarty.

Accession Number: AM 2000-84

Dates: February 2000

Volume: 1 item

Given By: Donated by Ms. Kimberly Chambers.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

A ten-page booklet depicting the life of Miss Oseola McCarty, compiled by 12-year-old Kimberly Chambers of Clinton, Mississippi. In February, 2000, Kimberly was among a group of seventh grade students at Clinton Junior High School who were asked by their social studies teacher, Nancy Cahill, to produce a written report with visual aid, in celebration of Black History Month. The booklet resulted from that assignment. Kimberly donated her visual aid (a poster featuring a timeline of Miss McCarty's life) to the USM Archives on May 15, 2000.

Accession Number: AM 2000-112

Dates: 1997

Volume: 1 item

Given By: Donated by Ms. Ann Ashmore.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

One copy of Unlikely Heroes by Emma Hahn, an activity book for children that includes a segment about Miss Oseola McCarty.

Accession Number: AM 2001-61

Dates: 2001

Volume: 1 item

Given By: Donated by Ms. Yvonne Arnold.

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

Copy of a new children's book titled Oseola McCarty Woke Up the World, by Barbara Diamond, with illustrations by Dan Brown. Two photographs used in the book are from the Oseola McCarty Collection. The book's publisher is The Wright Group, Inc.

Accession Number: AM02-35

Given By: Mr. Bud Kirkpatrick

Volume: .25 cubic foot

Dates: 1996 - 1999

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

  1. Fourteen copies of the Oseola McCarty newsletter, The Gift, Vol. 1, no. 1 (August 1996)
  2. Newspaper articles (1996)
  3. Four copies of the 1999 African American History Calendar. Miss Oseola McCarty is featured on the "September" page of the calendar.

Accession Number: AM02-47

Given By: Donna McGuyer, USM Development

Volume: 1 audio micro cassette tape

Dates: ca. 1995

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

Audio micro cassette tape featuring an interview with Miss Oseola McCarty, conducted by Ms. Sharon Wertz. Ms. Wertz wrote the original story about Miss McCarty's donation to USM.

Accession Number: AM04-25

Provenance: McCarty, Oseola

Given By: Garland Sullivan

Volume: 1 item

Dates: Oct. 24, 1977

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

A cancelled check made out to Miss Oseola (Ola) McCarty in the amount of $8.50. The check was written by Mrs. Norma W. Sullivan, for whom Miss McCarty performed a service.

Accession Number: AM05-15

Given By: Mark Boyles, Assistant Director, USM Alumni
Association

Volume: 1 VHS Videocassette

Inclusive Dates: ca. 1995

Copyright: This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).

Form of Material:

One VHS videocassette titled, "The Gift", documenting Miss Oseola McCarty's 1995 donation of $150, 000 to provide scholarships for USM students.

 


Created by: Yvonne Arnold
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Revised: July 7, 2005