Paying it Forward: How Ellen B. Fuhr is Empowering Jewish Women at Hunter College

When Ellen Fuhr attended Hunter College as a first-generation college student in the 1960s, the institution was still over a decade away from charging tuition.

"It was a city college, and it was free," Fuhr recalled. "And if it wasn't free, I wouldn't be going to college. There was no way my parents could afford any tuition."

Today, tuition at Hunter costs thousands of dollars and doesn't include other expenses like books, housing, or meal plans. And while Hunter is still one of the most affordable public universities in the country, Ellen knows that "most affordable" doesn't necessarily mean "easy to afford."

"Even students who receive scholarships are often still working through college," she said. "I remember one young woman who received my scholarship held a job all through her undergraduate degree and all through medical school. Her father passed away while she was in college and she only had her mother, and she worked so, so hard. And if anyone deserved help, it was her."

Ellen knows this struggle personally. As a daughter of an immigrant family, Ellen was raised with strong Jewish faith, determination, and resilience. As an undergraduate, Ellen worked tirelessly — juggling her studies, multiple jobs, and the challenges of making ends meet in New York City. Her perseverance paid off, leading to a long, fulfilling career as a teacher at Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn.

Ellen never forgot the challenges she faced in college. That's why, in 2019, she decided it was time to give back. "I wanted to ease the way for other young Jewish women like me," she said. Her generosity has made a profound impact on Hunter Hillel and its students, helping to address food insecurity, fund scholarships, and support a welcoming community.

"Ellen filled an enormous need," says Merav Fine Braun, executive director of Hunter Hillel. "She provided a lifeline to so many deserving students."

With the guidance of her financial advisor, Marc Coopersmith of RBC Wealth Management, Ellen used strategic gifts like qualified charitable distributions from her individual retirement account (IRA) and a donor-advised fund to maximize her impact. Most recently, Ellen partnered with Hillel International to establish a named scholarship ensuring that her legacy of generosity will continue to uplift and empower the next generation.

The Ellen B. Fuhr Scholarship for Jewish Women at Hunter College offers $5,000 per year to Jewish women at Hunter with a proven record of leadership, entrepreneurship, or volunteerism within their campus or local community. In addition to empowering Jewish women to reach their full potential and to support and uplift future leaders, Ellen's hope is that the scholarship will allow these women to pursue their education with less financial strain and insecurity.

To ensure this scholarship lives on beyond Ellen's lifetime,, Ellen decided to make her commitment to Hillel part of her estate plan. "I wanted to make sure it was an ongoing project, because I don't see the need ending," she said. Ellen named Hillel as a beneficiary of her estate. For Ellen, leaving a legacy is more than passing on valuables; it's about passing on shared values.

The students who receive this scholarship often remain in touch with Ellen through deeply personal email and video updates. "They've been telling me what they've been doing since they graduated, and it's amazing what they're achieving," she said. "It makes me proud to think that they're giving back when they can."