Oseola McCarty statue unveiled: Washerwoman gave $150,000 yet said “the only thing I regret is I didn’t have more to give”

In an age of cancel culture and destroying statues, a heartwarming story came from my alma mater in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, last week. 

A new statue was unveiled at the University of Southern Mississippi honoring an elderly woman who impacted hundreds of lives over her ninety-one years. 

This petite woman was not a war figure, athlete, or political giant—ones who typically receive such an honor. I am sure she never dreamed that, one day, a statue would honor her life. 

What made her worthy of such an honor? 

Memorializing McCarty’s sacrificial giving

Oseola McCarty worked for seventy-five years as a washerwoman in her hometown of Hattiesburg, then donated the majority of her life savings to the university before her death in 1999. 

“When I leave this world, I can’t carry nothing away from here. Whatever I have, it’s going to be left right here for somebody. Some child can get their education, to help them along, because you can’t do nothing now unless you get your education. I don’t regret one single penny I gave to the College. The only thing I regret is that I didn’t have more to give,” she said of her $150,000 gift. 

The unveiling of the statue coincided with the twenty-fifth anniversary of McCarty’s gift to USM for scholarships. The life-size bronze sculpture shows McCarty sitting in a chair, holding her Bible in her lap. An empty chair is nearby, and the university is hoping students will take the opportunity to sit and “visit” with the remarkable woman.

Today, the university presents several full-tuition McCarty scholarships every year with the gift and subsequent donations made by businessmen inspired by her generosity. 

“My secret was contentment”

McCarty’s life reflected her faith and work ethic. 

She was born in…