In 1995 , Oseola McCarty gave a present of $ 150,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi.She wanted to help poor students.It was a very generous thing to do.But her friends and neighbors were surprised.McCarty was a good woman.She went to church.She was always friendly and helpful.But everyone in her town knew that McCarty was not rich.In fact , she was poor. How did a poor 86 - year - old woman have so much money ? Oseola McCarty was born in 1908 in Hattiesburg , Mississippi.She had to leave school when she was eight years old to help her family.She took a job washing clothes.She earned only a few dollars a day.Oseola washed the clothes by hand.Then she hung the clothes to dry.She did this for nearly 80 years.In the 1960s ’ she bought an automatic washer and dryer.But she gave them away.She did not think they got the clothes clean enough ! At that time , many people started to buy their own washers and dryers.McCarty did not have much work , so she started to iron clothes instead. McCarty never married or had children.Her life was very simple.She went to work and to church.She read her Bible( 圣经 ) . She had a black - and - white television.But she did not watch it very much.It had only one channel. McCarty saved money all her life and eventually had about $250,000.When she was 86 , a lawyer helped her make a will.She left money to the church , her relatives , and the university.McCarty just wanted to help others.She did not think she was a special person.But then people found out about her present to the university.She received many honors( 荣誉 ) . She even flew in an airplane for the first time ! Oseola McCarty died in 1999.She was a shy and ordinary woman who became famous.