Inspired to Give Every Month

Monthly Donors Offer Sustainability through Consistent Support

More donors are choosing to support St. Mary’s through recurring monthly gifts. This steady support strengthens the school’s financial stability and deepens the shared commitment to our mission.

Below, we highlight three generous monthly donors whose unique connections to St. Mary’s inspire their ongoing support.

JENNIFER RUFFIN ’21

Jennifer Ruffin ’21 gives to St. Mary’s monthly out of deep gratitude for her teachers and experiences as a student.

“They went above and beyond for me. I give to support them and the school that continues to serve students so well.”

After graduating with a Data Science Degree from Wellesley College, Jennifer joined JPMorganChase’s Leadership Development Program in Dallas, where she is gaining exposure to various disciplines, which will conclude with her securing a permanent role with the company.

As a four-time consecutive donor and monthly giver since August 2024, Jennifer’s decision to give back as a young alumna is rooted in the lessons she learned through her time serving on the St. Mary’s Community Fund.

“Giving to the school kind of feels like second nature,” she shared. “St. Mary’s is special. It shaped each of us in unique ways, and I believe every student deserves those same opportunities.”

LINDA EUBANK

As a proud St. Mary’s grandmother to Lila ’22 and Walks ’34 Ruhland, and mom to Carrie Ruhland, SK-1st grade science teacher, Linda Eubank’s monthly gifts to the school are deeply personal.

But her support also reflects her 47-year career in education, where she saw firsthand how schools can fall short for students with learning differences.

Linda appreciates how St. Mary’s meets each girl where she is, nurturing her strengths and individual interests. Given the challenges of today’s world, she is also grateful that the school continues to prioritize investments in safety and security.

“I know that my gifts to St. Mary’s help children and, as a result, will help make the world a better place,” she shared.

Education truly runs in the family: in addition to Linda and her daughter, her granddaughter Lila ’22 is now studying education at the University of Arkansas.

As St. Mary’s longest-running monthly donor, Linda’s commitment is making a lasting impact. She shared, “Monthly giving is just so easy—it happens automatically, and I can adjust it anytime.”

MANDY TENENT

Growing up outside of Baltimore in Towson, Maryland, Mandy Tenent attended a small all-girls school. So, when she and her husband, Whit, settled in Memphis, they sought a similar experience for their daughters, Michelle ’30 and Charlotte ’34.

Mandy shared, “When we toured St. Mary’s, we loved how the curriculum connected across grade levels and how the school let the girls explore their own curiosities.”

Since enrolling their daughters, the Tenents have felt welcomed into the St. Mary’s community. “We love how the girls are recognized for who they are and their individual potential as they grow into young women,” Mandy explained.

After giving generously to the St. Mary’s Fund for over 11 years, they opted to become monthly donors in 2024.

Mandy explained, “Giving monthly is easy and allows us to make a bigger financial commitment over time to ensure teachers and students have the resources they need within and beyond the classrooms.”

Learn more about supporting St. Mary's with your monthly gift.

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