Viola Raitt Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Viola Bliler Raitt was born on April 11, 1917. She grew up in Clyde Park, Montana, and graduated from Eastern Montana Normal School in Billings (now MSU Billings) with a teaching degree in June 1937. She was immediately offered a teaching job. In 1939 Viola married Grant Raitt, remarking, “It was love at first sight!” Because teachers were not permitted to marry during those times, they had to keep their marriage a secret until her teaching contract was completed. Viola was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 1975; she survived breast cancer twice. She passed away November 20, 2002. In her memory, her daughter Melina, established the Viola Raitt Memorial Scholarship Endowment to provide financial assistance to education majors at MSU Billings. The first scholarship was awarded in academic year 2008-2009.
Impact
“Words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for having been selected to receive the Viola Raitt Memorial Endowed Scholarship at Montana State University Billings. After reading our mother’s courageous story and the sacrifices she made in order to continue teaching, I feel blessed and humbled by your gracious contribution to my continued education… As a non-traditional student in my early 30’s, the decision to leave my career of ten years to instead pursue my education was not easy. I have been blessed with a number of incredible people in my life that have helped me achieve my successes, that list now includes you and your generous endowed scholarship.” — Jerimiah T., English major with a teaching option