Citing inspiration from President Barack Obama, Dame Elizabeth Taylor continued her philanthropic efforts this week with an unexpected donation to a faith-based educational outreach program.

After hearing President Obama's speech last week to "reach across the aisle," the Hollywood legend made a $100,000 donation to the Alliance for Christian Education to fund the organization's pilot program for global educational outreach: a preparatory school, Providence Hall.

"I chose to underwrite this remarkable Christian-initiated educational effort because our new president challenged us to break down the barriers that divide us," said Taylor, who happens to be Jewish. "To honor that challenge and to help rebuild our nation, I feel we have to reach beyond the limitations we place on ourselves in the name of religion or other ways we define ourselves."