Lana Oconnell
In 2019, Oprah Winfrey responded to an Instagram user who called her out for not paying off students' loans after her commencement speech at Colorado College. The user compared Winfrey to billionaire Robert F. Smith, who had pledged to pay off the student loans of Morehouse College's class of 2019. In her response, Winfrey highlighted her history of giving and support for education, including having already paid $13 million in scholarships and helping over 400 men at Morehouse College. Winfrey's contributions to education are significant, and while she may not have directly paid off students' loans, her donations and scholarships have made a substantial impact on the lives of many students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 20 May 2019 |
| Incident | Oprah Winfrey delivered the commencement speech at Colorado College. An Instagram user suggested that she pay off the graduate's student loans, comparing her to Robert F. Smith, who paid off the student loans of Morehouse College students. |
| Response | Oprah replied that she had already helped hundreds of scholars, awarding $13 million in scholarships and helping over 400 men graduate from Morehouse College. |
| Additional Information | In 2007, she founded the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. She has also donated to Tennessee State University, the United Negro College Fund, and over 80 Chicago area organizations. |
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What You'll Learn
Oprah's response to an Instagram user
On 20 May 2019, Oprah Winfrey responded to an Instagram user who criticised her for not paying off students' debt after her commencement speech at Colorado College. The user, @spiritualceo1111, compared Winfrey to billionaire Robert F. Smith, who had pledged to pay off the student loans of Morehouse College's class of 2019.
Winfrey was quick to point out her history of giving and supporting students' education. She replied to the Instagram user, stating:
> "Already paid 13 m in scholarships. Have put over 400 men thru @morehouse1867."
Winfrey's comment has received over 48,000 likes and the support of her followers, who thanked her for her generosity and philanthropy over the years.
Indeed, Winfrey has a well-documented history of supporting students' education. In 1989, she delivered the commencement speech at Morehouse College, where she announced a $1 million contribution to the school's scholarship fund. This led to the establishment of the Oprah Winfrey Endowed Scholarship Fund, to which she has donated $12 million and helped 415 men graduate. In 2007, she founded the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) in South Africa, an all-girls school for grades eight through 12. According to Forbes, she has donated over $100 million to the school and continued to guide her graduates through their college education. Winfrey has also donated a large amount to Tennessee State University, the United Negro College Fund, and over 80 Chicago-area organizations. She even set up the African Women's Public Service Fellowship at New York University.
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Oprah's history of giving
Oprah Winfrey is known for her generosity and philanthropy. She has supported and contributed to numerous charitable causes, with a focus on education, women, and children. Here is an overview of Oprah's history of giving:
- Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program: In 1989, Oprah delivered the commencement speech at Morehouse College, an all-male, historically Black college in Atlanta, Georgia. During her speech, she announced a $1 million contribution to the school's scholarship fund. This eventually grew to a total gift of $12 million, helping 400+ men graduate. In 2019, she added another $13 million to the scholarship fund, bringing her total contribution to $25 million.
- Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls: In 2007, Oprah founded a school in South Africa for girls in grades 8 through 12. She has donated over $40 million to the academy, providing education for academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Oprah's Angel Network: Oprah's Angel Network raised more than $80 million and made a significant impact globally. It helped establish 60 schools in 13 countries, created scholarships, supported women's shelters, and built youth centres and homes. The network also contributed to Habitat for Humanity, building 200 homes, and partnered with other nonprofit organisations to further its reach.
- Support for Education: Oprah has made substantial contributions to educational institutions, especially historically Black colleges and universities. Recipients include the United Negro College Fund, the Harold Washington Library, Chicago Academy of Arts, Chicago Public Schools, and her alma mater, Tennessee State University.
- National Child Protection Act: In 1991, Oprah initiated a campaign for a national database of child abusers. This led to the National Child Protection Act, establishing a national registry of convicted child abusers.
- Oprah Book Club: In 1997, Oprah created the Oprah Book Club to encourage reading among her viewers.
- Other Acts of Generosity: Oprah has also been known for her spontaneous acts of giving. In 2004, she gave away nearly 300 new cars to her audience members, along with checks to help cover the associated tax bills. She has also made significant donations to museums, such as the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, becoming their single highest donor with a $21 million contribution.
While Oprah has not directly paid off student loans, her extensive history of giving showcases her commitment to empowering others, especially through education.
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Oprah's $13 million donation to Morehouse College
In 1989, Oprah Winfrey gave a commencement speech at Morehouse College, where she announced a $1 million contribution to the school's scholarship fund. This led to the creation of the Oprah Winfrey Endowed Scholarship Fund, to which Winfrey has donated $12 million and helped 415 men graduate.
In October 2019, Winfrey visited Morehouse College to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program. During her visit, she announced a surprise donation of an additional $13 million to the scholarship fund. Combined, Winfrey’s $25 million gift is the largest endowment in the college’s history.
Winfrey's donation came after billionaire Robert F. Smith pledged to pay off the student loans of Morehouse's class of 2019 during his commencement address in May 2019. Following Smith's speech, an Instagram user called out Winfrey for not paying off student loans after her commencement speech at Colorado College. In response, Winfrey pointed out that she has a history of multimillion-dollar donations to help university students. She has donated a large amount to Tennessee State University, the United Negro College Fund, and over 80 Chicago area organizations. Additionally, she set up the African Women's Public Service Fellowship at New York University and founded the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.
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Billionaire Robert F. Smith's student loan pledge
On May 19, 2019, billionaire Robert F. Smith pledged to pay off the student loans of the Morehouse College Class of 2019 during his commencement address. Smith, the founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, an investment firm focused on software, data, and technology, said in his speech:
> On behalf of the eight generations of my family who have been in this country, we're going to put a little fuel in your bus. This is the challenge to you, alumni. This is my class — 2019. And my family is making a grant to eliminate their student loans.
The pledge gift, which reached $34 million, covered the full principal and interest for education loan balances as of August 28, 2019. It included federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans, Georgia Student Access Loans, Perkins Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and certain private student loans processed through Morehouse. The payments were made through the newly established Morehouse Student Success Program, a scholarship, loan debt, research, and educational initiative.
Smith's donation brought attention to the issue of crippling student loan debt, especially among Black students and their families. It also inspired other acts of philanthropy, including from Oprah Winfrey, who has a history of educational philanthropy herself.
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Oprah's other charitable acts
Oprah Winfrey is a well-known philanthropist who has donated millions of dollars to charitable causes. She has founded and supported numerous charitable organisations and initiatives over the years, demonstrating her commitment to using her wealth and influence to help others.
One of her most notable charitable acts is the establishment of the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation (OWCF), a non-profit organisation launched in 1993. The foundation focuses on providing education, donating money, and serving meals to communities in need. In 2002, the foundation expanded its global reach with the "Christmas Kindness South Africa 2002" initiative, where they visited orphanages and rural schools in South Africa, providing gifts, food, clothing, and school supplies to thousands of children. During this trip, Oprah pledged to build a school in South Africa and has since contributed over $200 million towards education for academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.
In addition to her work with the OWCF, Oprah has also been involved in other charitable endeavours. In 1998, she launched Oprah's Angel Network, a charity that supports non-profits globally. This network has raised over $80 million and provided relief funds for disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, with Oprah personally donating an additional $10 million. Furthermore, she has awarded numerous grants to organisations promoting the education and empowerment of women, children, and families, including the United Negro College Fund and The Ron Clarke Academy in Atlanta.
Oprah has also supported grassroots organisations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, by committing $13 million to relief efforts in her "home cities" across the United States. She has been recognised for her charitable work, receiving the nation's highest civilian honour, the Medal of Freedom, in 2013.
Beyond her charitable donations, Oprah has inspired others through her talk show, books, and public appearances. She has shared her own story of overcoming poverty, abuse, and prejudice, encouraging others to persevere through difficult times. Her platform has allowed her to promote kindness, empathy, and positive values, impacting the lives of countless individuals worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but she has helped hundreds of scholars by awarding scholarships and donating to educational institutions.
Oprah Winfrey has donated a total of $25 million to Morehouse College. In 1989, she initially funded the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program with $12 million. In 2019, she donated an additional $13 million to the scholarship fund.
Yes, Oprah Winfrey has donated to several other educational institutions. She has contributed to Tennessee State University, the United Negro College Fund, and over 80 Chicago-area organizations. She also founded the African Women's Public Service Fellowship at New York University and an all-girls school in South Africa for grades 8 through 12.
Yes, Oprah Winfrey has been recognized for her generous contributions. The Morehouse College website acknowledges her as the college's top individual donor to date. She has also been praised by the college's president, David Thomas, who expressed gratitude for her generosity and philanthropic support.
