JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- She's a giving school teacher turned multimillionaire. You've likely heard of philanthropist Jessie Ball duPont. Reminders of duPont's generosity can be found all around the River City.
On Prudential Drive sits the massive Treaty Oak at Jessie Ball duPont Park. Walking around Downtown Jacksonville, you'll see the Jessie Ball duPont Center. The historic building houses 12 local non-profits.
duPont was born Jan. 20, 1884 and grew up in Northern Virginia with a family that struggled financially but they were well connected. She is a descendant of Mary Ball, the mother of George Washington, the first President of the United States.
As a vice principal, known then as Jessie Ball, she managed to fund 100 scholarships on a modest salary. She married into the wealthy duPont family at age 37. She died Sept. 27, 1970.
Through her private grant-making foundation nearly 50 years after her death, duPont continues to give millions of dollars to charities every year, giving to more than 300 organizations nationwide including the Clara White Mission, Edward Waters College and the Jacksonville Humane Society.