Marie Jean Baptiste Memorial Scholarship Fund

Our grandmother was a gifted seamstress, utilizing her creative talents to craft school uniforms for children as a means of providing for her own family. Beyond supporting her immediate household, she extended her care and financial assistance to her relatives, even opting to conclude her own education early to prioritize this responsibility. Additionally, she consistently opened her home to children in need, offering both shelter and guidance to those lacking financial resources and parental support. As an adult, she continued to serve others through her church by participating in church groups and visiting the sick. Once she became an American citizen, she continued to send financial aid to individuals in Haiti whom she had cared for previously. Her unwavering commitment to helping others left a lasting impression, and serves as a significant source of inspiration for the current scholarship fund. In addition to her nurturing spirit, our grandmother embodied strength and courage. As a young Haitian woman, she traveled across multiple states in the U.S. during the ‘70s to preach the Word of God as a missionary. She consistently shared her faith with all those she encountered. In both church and non-religious settings, she also provided advice and encouragement to the youth, ensuring they could strive towards realizing their full potential. Likewise, she encouraged her five daughters to cultivate self-sufficiency and independence. She instilled in them the importance of ensuring their ability to care for themselves and their loved ones, emphasizing the need to navigate and overcome any adversity they might encounter. She leaves behind 5 daughters, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren, through whom her legacy will live on.