Since 54 percent of the nation's wealth is in the hands of women, the Ole Miss Women's Council for Philanthropy was created in 2000 to  tap into the emerging new paradigm of women taking greater control of their finances.  The uniqueness of the program is to provide endowed scholarships for their council scholars and then through the leadership- mentorship program, guide them into their future careers and help with the development of life skills.

The group of woman who were all chosen for their strong leadership skills, commitment, passion and professionalism is diverse, ranging from corporate executives and business owners, faculty/administration  to community leaders, homemakers and philanthropists.

The council members' lives may differ, but they all have a single goal: to enhance the educational experience and provide career opportunities for young people during their tenure at Ole Miss.

Students receive scholarships of $4,000 per year for four years. Each scholar is assigned mentors from the Ole Miss community.  Many mentors are members of the council who guide the student in developing a career path, as well as help the scholar network with alumni and other professionals. .Each student also participates in a series of seminars using the philosophy of servant leadership as the core curriculum. Field trips, seminars and the bi-monthly "Red Plate Suppers" are all part of the scholars' life. Upon graduation, each scholarship recipient is expected to pledge a modest amount of financial support to the women's council endowment to reseed the program, as well as go out into society to address its unfinished business.

For more information about the Ole Miss Women's Council for Philanthropy or the council scholarship endowment program, contact The Ole Miss Women's Council Office at (662) 915-7273.