The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Real estate mogul Jenny Pruitt creates GSU scholarship fund
It will aid college’s underrepresented real estate students.
Real estate mogul Jenny Pruitt has hung her sign on some of the metro area’s most elegant and elite prop- erties. After 39 years in the industry, she founded Atlanta Fine Homes in 2007 and built a company of 550 licensed agents and 75 employees who together rang up almost $5 billion in sales last year.
But Pruitt’s success had a rocky start. She was 8 when her father died, and after graduating from North Fulton High, found there was no money for college.
“My mother had three children and no funds,” Pruitt said. “I was only able to attend Georgia State for a couple of quarters, but it had a profound impact on my life by helping form my thoughts on leadership and business knowledge.”
Pruitt became a real estate agent in 1968 and nine years later was named one of the city’s first female brokers. She opened and sold her own firm and continued to build a record of success that led to her cur- rent role as executive chair and co-founder of Atlanta Fine Homes. Along the way, Pruitt held fast to two ideals.
“I have a passion for pour- ing into others, especially those who may not have had advantages — like me many years ago,” she said. “I also believe when you’re successful, you have a responsibility to pour back into the community that’s provided the livelihood I’ve enjoyed for more than five decades.”
Pruitt and her company have lived those ideals by sponsoring a 5K for the Atlanta Mission, building a Habitat for Humanity house and working with the City of Refuge. Last year, contributions went to 28 organizations.
Ten years ago, Pruitt was recognized by Georgia State’s business school for her accomplishments.
“I was so surprised when they called me and said I was chosen to receive the Georgia State Hall of Fame award,” she said. “I told them I was never able to graduate, but they still wanted to claim me. That was the sweetest thing ever said to me, and it burned in my heart.”
Pruitt recently returned that honor by creating a six-figure scholarship fund in the business school to provide financial assistance for underrepresented real estate students. Earlier this month, three students were named the first recipients.
“I wanted to help those with careers ahead of them who needed financial help,” she said. “And Georgia State has always had a special place in my heart.”