About 197 million people around the world use Amazon every month, so it’s no surprise that people—especially those in Silicon Valley, the hub of technological innovation—know the name Jeff Bezos and the name of his ex-wife MacKenzie Scott. While Scott is often linked to Bezos due to her involvement in the founding of Amazon, she is successful in her own right. She is an accomplished novelist with two award-winning books and, after her divorce, has a net worth of $55.1 billion, making her the second wealthiest woman in the world. Recently, she has tapped into her vast assets for a more philanthropic mission, inspired by the Black Lives Matter Movement that started to build momentum this summer. 

MacKenzie Scott is undeniably much more privileged than many people, regardless of personal background. What sets her apart from many others, however, is the fact that she not only acknowledges her privilege but also chooses to use her wealth to enact change. In a short passage she wrote for givingpledge.org, she discusses the reason why she plans to donate a majority of her wealth back to the communities that helped her earn it. Interestingly, Scott cites writing as providing her the inspiration to donate—she says she learned to use good ideas now instead of saving them for a later chapter or book. Her philanthropic mission echoes this sentiment: her donations to food banks, schools, and homeless shelters came in quick succession, as she was moved by the urgency of the pandemic and racial justice movements. In a blog she posted last summer, she says that one’s “personal wealth is the product of a collective effort, and of social structures which present opportunities to some people, and obstacles to countless others.” This is why she has chosen to donate, as of December 21, 2020, $4.1 billion in a span of 6 months. She continues to donate to many charitable organizations for marginalized communities and adds to her list as noted in a blog post from December 15, 2020. She constantly encourages others to donate whatever they can and get involved in making America a balanced, equitable country.

You don’t have to be a billionaire to make a contribution—there are actionable steps you can take to support your own community right now. If you feel an urge to give, consider donating to the current Con Bondad: A Farmworker Family Drive at Mitty or check out the list of organizations to which MacKenzie Scott donated. Guide your own research into organizations that align with your values, and find ways to become involved in meaningful ways. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but we can help make change one selfless act at a time.