Leaving a Legacy

Sometimes a group of people, thrown together by circumstance, becomes something more than just the sum of its parts.

Such is the case with the University Hospital September Class (UAH)* of 1959, a group of women who have promoted and changed the profession of nursing, supported one another through the challenges of life and career, and through it all, left a legacy for future generations of nurses, fundraising nearly half a million dollars to support undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing.

Comprised of clinicians, educators, change makers, first generation university graduates, and leaders creating impact locally, nationally, and internationally-and even a recipient of the Order of Canada-the September class of 1959 forged a bond that has lasted a lifetime and changed the course of public health through contribution and service.

In the fall of 1956, this diverse group of students began their nursing education at the University of Alberta. They came from across the prairies and from all walks of life and personal circumstances, but they shared two things in common: all of them had been strong students in high school, selected for their academic merit to face the rigors of a demanding program of study; and, all of them had chosen to pursue a profession in nursing that would give them the tools and the freedom to build meaningful careers of purpose.

As first-year nursing students in 1956, most members of the UAH Class of Sept. '59 were living away from their families and communities for the first time while learning the skills, knowledge, and fortitude required to provide patient care of the highest standards. This was no easy task, and the demands and pressures of the program meant relying on one another- and on Faculty and Administration-for support, guidance, and solidarity.

"By the time we were scheduled to work the night or evening shift, we were also expected to attend afternoon classes, meaning we put in a 60 hour work week," said Marjorie Zelent, who recalls nursing many patients afflicted with polio in the aftermath of the 1953 epidemic during her time as a student nurse.

In addition to these 60 hours of formal work, students were also practicing and studying, which made for a grueling schedule. The only path forward was by banding together.

"They say we're all born into one family, and then we create our second family. That's our choice," said Amaryllis Case, who credits her time at UAH with lifting her out of "bone-crushing" poverty and breaking the cycle of domestic abuse and alcoholism that plagued her youth. Living on $12.50 a month for three years and a savings of $300 from babysitting, Case was the first person on either side of her family to attend university. "It was heaven," she said. "Our graduating class and the education I got at the University of Alberta, they were the keys to my future. Through all of that, our class became a second family."

Access to mutual support and opportunity through strong community were sentiments echoed by many members of the UAH Class of Sept. '59. "We were quite a family at the University," said Carol Duggan. "We were so young and had been given so much responsibility. So, we became our own counsellors. We met in gathering rooms on each floor of the residence to vent the good and the bad, and we supported each other, big time."

The shared experience of living together was crucial to building this sense of community and mutual support that has lasted over 60 years. "Living and working together for three years fostered a strong bond between us," said Bev Latrace, who said the Faculty was instrumental in supporting her tenure as a student athlete, playing for both the Pandas and Calgary Maxwell's, regularly flying or taking the train to Calgary to compete.

"We also had strong leaders in our class, and they were fun to be around, so we all wanted to spend time together."

This community was also the glue that held the class together following their graduation, and it was the foundation for the personal and professional success so many of them achieved over the course of six decades. "In residence, you grew up with these people that became more like sisters rather than classmates," said Marilyn Williams, who explained that this closeness led to the desire to give back to future students."We didn't take for granted the ability to learn together and grow up together, and I think we naturally became more invested in the Faculty as we continued to keep in touch with one another."

The UAH Class of Sept. '59 has continued to meet formally and informally over the course of six decades, charting their struggles and triumphs as a community. "After we graduated, we made a commitment to meet every five years and we did that," said Gerri Nakonechny, who credits her time at the Faculty of Nursing with launching the career that garnered her the Order of Canada and Dean of the MacEwan Faculty of Health and Community Studies. "In addition to that, with many of us still remaining in Edmonton, we often met more frequently-sometimes once a year-to get together, even if just for a lunch."

As members of the UAH Class of Sept. '59 graduating class continued to drift in and out of the country and the province, their former classmates and connection to the University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing were a constant personal and professional touchpoint.

"It was important for me to stay abreast of developments in the field of nursing, and with my old classmates, even when I was living away from Alberta," said Case. "The regular reunions, newsletters, and common goal of giving back kept us connected, first to our profession, and then to one another."

It was at just such a reunion that the brainchild of an endowment was born as a way to both cement the special bond of the UAH September Class of 1959, and to support the next generation of nurses. "At our 45th reunion, we were thinking a lot about our class legacy," said Darlene Davidson. "We would have 30 to 40 people coming out, and we wanted to do something to honour this class that meant so much to us."

Classmates say Marilyn Assheton-Smith began a canvass of fellow classmates to brainstorm ideas for how their class could give back, with the hope of developing a common goal. The result was unanimous: create class funds to support graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing.

And with that the UAH Class of Sept. '59 Nursing Scholarship was born. In two and a half years, through the generosity of the class, the first scholarship was endowed.

At the 50th reunion, Sharon Molineaux-who was a nursing educator and familiar with the shortage of advanced degree nursing educators-suggested a new scholarship and the UAH Class of Sept. '59 Teaching and Learning Graduate Award came to life. A few years later the graduate award was also endowed.

Since that time, two to three students per year have been granted these scholarships.

As of August 2019, the combined value of the funds have reached nearly half a million dollars and supported dozens of students. "Our class was something special," said Duggan. "We thought it was important to leave something behind to mark that."

Note: UAH, also known as University Hospital or the University of Alberta Hospital, is the legacy school of the University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing.

Although the University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing interviewed seven UAH Class of Sept. '59 graduates, all interviewees were emphatic that their legacy belongs to each and every member of the graduating class. We thank those interviewed for their contributions, and we recognize the solidarity, support, and hard work of the entire graduating class in developing the UAH September Class of '59 legacy and building such a remarkable, inspiring, and long-standing community.