At a very early age in Alabama, Lee Essie Smith was a self-taught musician. After losing her mother as a young teenager, she began putting her God-given musical talent to work as a pianist for several churches. By the time she graduated from high school, she also learned the cosmetology trade.
Following her marriage to Charlie McMillan, Jr., she and her young family moved to Saginaw. Here she worked as a licensed beautician and as a pianist for several local churches. When the youngest of the couple’s eight children began high school, Mrs. McMillan enrolled in a licensed practical nursing program.
Always working at least two jobs at a time, she retired as a nurse from Saginaw General Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit in 1986. Mrs. McMillan also retired from Mt. Olive Baptist Church in February 1999 after 43 years of service as pianist.
Although retired, she continued to mentor her grandchildren, musicians, beauticians and students pursuing medical careers until she went home to be with the Lord in April 2000.
● Minimum 2.5 GPA
● Saginaw County resident
● High school senior or college student
● Pursuing an undergraduate, graduate degree or Career and Techincal Education (CTE) training (skilled trade/vocation) in cosmetology
● Part- or full-time enrollment
Special skills (30); career goals (20); financial need (20); letters of recommendation (10); scholastic record (10); overall involvement in community, school and work activities (5); leadership (5). Nontraditional students may be given preference. Interviews may be requested.
Qualifications
Evaluation Criteria