Patsy George spent decades as a social worker, both on the frontlines and as a leader in her profession. She’s seen tragedy and the worst kinds of human experiences up close, as well as the good that can come from dedicated people helping others.
Now retired, George is no longer on the frontlines of social work, but she retains a keen interest in social justice and a strong desire to see improvement in the conditions of marginalized people, particularly those from aboriginal communities.
In recognition of several decades’ worth of contributions to the social work field, George is receiving an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of the Fraser Valley. She will receive her doctorate at UFV’s convocation on Thursday, June 9 at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.
She chose to support future social workers by establishing the Patsy and Crissy George Bursary. The bursary will be distributed annually to a student in the new master of social work program at the UFV. It will be drawn from a $10,000 endowment donated by Patsy and dispersed in amounts of $1,000 a year for 10 years. Patsy chose to honour her sister Crissy, also a retired social worker, by naming it after both George sisters.
George has received both the Order of Canada (2007) and the Order of British Columbia (2002).
Born in Kerala, India, she graduated from the University of Windsor, and received a master’s degree in social work from University of Ottawa.