The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has announced the recipients of its 2022 scholarships, including winners from two MGEU families.

Eliana Legesse – whose parent, Getahun Legesse Gizaw, is an MGEU Local 38 (Physical Sciences) member – is the recipient of the 2022 Scholarship for Black Students.

Eliana declared in the essay submitted that she is looking forward to using the lessons of trailblazers of African descent in her pursuit of a medical degree. Eliana stated that the contributions of 2 incredible trailblazers, “Drs. Sophia Bethena Jones and June Marion James are prime examples of why Black women can, in fact, flourish in one of the most difficult fields in the world. By being ingenious and dedicated in their work, they simultaneously outdid the steady narratives surrounding Black people and women during their time, and helped invite generations of people from minority groups to excel in medicine.”

Meanwhile, Natalie Kathler – whose parent, Russell Kathler, is a member of Local 47 (Social Sciences) – will be receiving one of NUPGE’s Young Worker Scholarships.

In reflecting on the ways that unions are still important in the contemporary workplace, Natalie asserted, “With the help of unions, the working conditions in 2022 have come a long way from those of a century past. That does not mean however, that the union’s usefulness is done . . . challenges such as inflation and wage stagnation, the increased use of gig or contract workers, the presence of new technology, the refusal of some corporations and governments to negotiate fairly, and even unexpected challenges such as a pandemic, all require workers to stand together to fight for fair, safe, and equitable working conditions."

Congratulations to Eliana and Natalie and all of the 2022 winners!
View the full list of NUPGE scholarship recipients

About NUPGE Scholarships

Each year, NUPGE offers scholarships of $2,500 each that reflect its pursuit of equal opportunity for workers. Entrants must be the children/grandchildren or foster children/grandchildren of members or retirees of the National Union’s Component unions or its affiliates and who are planning to enter the 1st year of a Canadian public post-secondary educational institution on a full-time basis.