Mary Elizabeth Mulzer Memorial Award

Awarded to a full time in-course student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program on the basis of academic excellence and demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to a student self-identifying from a historically under-represented group. For the
purpose of this award, “an under-represented group” is defined as being a person of Indigenous descent, a racialized or visible minority, a person with a disability, or someone who identifies their gender as female.

My dear mother upheld two very important life principles. First, to treat everyone she met with dignity and respect. The Second, to foster kindness, caring and generosity in all her encounters. Mary was born in Guelph, Ontario in 1930 during the height of the Great Depression. She was the eldest daughter born to a biracial couple who would have seven children in total. From a very early age, Mary experienced bigotry, discrimination, racial intolerance and inequality. Mary excelled academically and graduated as a nurse in 1954. She had the great privilege to practice in a variety of clinical settings including surgery, internal medicine, geriatrics and mental health/addiction. She felt the latter field was by far the most challenging and rewarding of her distinguished career.

Mary suffered with a debilitating chronic illness throughout her life. Despite this disability, she continued her nursing career while raising four children. She always stressed the importance of commitment, service, honour and integrity.

Mary was a mentor to young graduates, a colleague to many and a confidante to all. She would be very pleased that an award was created in her name to support, encourage and equip the next generation of nursing professionals.