Cordelia Scaife May: Education, Philanthropy, and a Complex Legacy
Cordelia Scaife May, an heiress to the Mellon family fortune, was a Pittsburgh philanthropist who dedicated her life and wealth to various causes, including environmental conservation, population control, and education. Born in 1928, she passed away in January 2005 at the age of 76 after battling pancreatic cancer. May's philanthropic endeavors were marked by a desire to protect the environment and a concern about the impact of population growth and immigration on natural resources. Her contributions to education, often made discreetly, have had a lasting impact on numerous organizations and individuals.
Early Life and Education
Cordelia Scaife May was the daughter of Alan Magee Scaife and Sarah Mellon Scaife. Her mother was a member of the prominent Mellon family. May's early life was described as gloomy, spent with nurses and governesses at the family mansion, Penguin Court, outside Pittsburgh. Despite her privileged background, May sought intellectual pursuits, attending Carnegie Tech and the University of Pittsburgh for a short time.
Philanthropic Focus: Environment, Population, and Education
May's philanthropic interests were diverse, yet interconnected. She was deeply committed to environmental conservation, driven by a belief that nature was under siege from runaway population growth. This concern led her to support causes related to birth control and curbing immigration, both legal and illegal.
Environmental Conservation
May's dedication to environmental conservation was evident in her generous donations of land to various organizations. She bequeathed all of her property on Maui to the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii and her land on Kauai to the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Land she owned in Virginia was donated to the International Academy for Preventive Medicine. In Pennsylvania, she donated important American Indian archaeological sites on her property in Westmoreland County to a national preservation society.
Population Control
May's concern about population growth led her to support organizations involved in population control. She was a generous supporter of Planned Parenthood, which in its early days advocated for population control. May admired Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, and kept a portrait of her in her living room.
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Immigration Concerns
May's views on immigration were complex and controversial. She believed that immigration could negatively impact the environment and the economy. She became a key backer of John Tanton, a Michigan ophthalmologist who founded a network of anti-immigration groups. May also supported the distribution of the French novel "The Camp of the Saints," which depicts a scenario of the West being overwhelmed by Third World immigrants.
The Colcom Foundation: A Legacy of Philanthropy
The Colcom Foundation, one of several charitable organizations May created, played a significant role in her philanthropic endeavors. May bequeathed the Cordelia Scaife May Family Trust, created with money inherited from her mother, to the Colcom Foundation. She also left all of her personal property and Pennsylvania real estate, including more than four hundred and fifty acres in Westmoreland County, to the foundation.
The Colcom Foundation's mission extends beyond conservation efforts. It aims to promote "sustainable" immigration that won't overwhelm the environment or the economy. The foundation has been a major donor to anti-immigration groups, providing significant funding to organizations that advocate for stricter immigration policies.
Support for Education
Cordelia Scaife May's commitment to education is evident through her support for various educational initiatives and organizations. Her contributions have helped to improve access to education, enhance learning experiences, and promote cultural enrichment.
Laurel Foundation
In 1951, May founded the Laurel Foundation, which supports charities in western Pennsylvania. The Laurel Foundation plays a crucial role in helping adult learners pursue higher education. Recognizing the barriers that many adult learners face, such as financial constraints and lack of academic preparation, the Laurel Foundation provides support and resources to help them navigate the college system.
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The partnership between Literacy Pittsburgh and the Laurel Foundation exemplifies the power of philanthropy to create opportunities. Through collaborations like this, Cordelia Scaife May's belief in strengthening America and Americans in every facet of life continues to have an impact.
Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA)
The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) has benefited from the Colcom Foundation's support for its educational programs. SAMA's AIR program provides students with the opportunity to engage directly with professional artists in a student-mentor dynamic. This interaction fosters a deeper understanding of artistic disciplines and nurtures creativity among young learners. The Colcom Foundation's generous donation to the AIR program has ensured that even more students can be reached across the region.
Through direct observation of works from SAMA's education collection, students engage in lessons that emphasize creation, technique, history, critique, and aesthetics. The program provides students with opportunities to create and respond to art, understand the cultural and historical context of artworks, and develop critical thinking skills.
Literacy Pittsburgh
Literacy Pittsburgh, the largest provider of adult basic education in the region, has also benefited from May's philanthropic efforts. The organization helps individuals acquire essential skills needed to reach their fullest potential and participate productively in their communities. Literacy Pittsburgh's program aims to bridge the gap between where their students are and where they aspire to be. Their commitment to individualized learning ensures that services are accessible to those who need them most.
Personal Life
Cordelia Scaife May was known for her intensely private nature. She married Herbert May Jr. in the early 1950s, but the marriage ended in divorce a year later. In 1974, she married Robert Duggan, then-Pittsburgh District Attorney, but he committed suicide later that year after being indicted on federal corruption charges.
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Like her mother and other family members, May battled alcoholism. She named her home Cold Comfort, a reference to the novel "Cold Comfort Farm," reflecting her wry sense of humor and perhaps a sense of personal struggle.
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