Black nursing alumnae make scholarships, history with donations

Published Jul 11, 2022 by

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Four distinguished Pirate nurses have reaffirmed their commitment, through generous scholarship endowments, to ensure that underrepresented nursing candidates from across eastern North Carolina get the education and training they need to positively impact rural and minority community heath care.

The scholarships, endowed by black women who have reached the highest levels of health care delivery and administration, help the East Carolina University College of Nursing fulfill its mission to serve as a national model for transforming the health of rural underserved regions.

Daphne Brewington and Sharona Johnson

The Lillie Rose Scholarship was established in 2021 by Dr. Sharona Johnson (’05, ’17) and Dr. Daphne Brewington (’90, ’98, ’13) in memory of their mothers, Rose Marie Gay-Griffin and Lillie Mann Holloway. The scholarship supports underrepresented graduate nursing students from North Carolina’s eastern counties who have faced hardships and barriers to pursuing their dream to be a nurse.

The Lillie Rose Scholarship was established in 2021 by Dr. Sharona Johnson and Dr. Daphne Brewington in memory of their mothers, Rose Marie Gay-Griffin and Lillie Mann Holloway. (Contributed photos)

When Johnson pursued her Ph.D. in nursing at ECU, the mentorship she received from Brewington motivated her during challenging moments and ultimately helped her finish the program. Both women had mothers who died from chronic diseases, fueling a decision to partner on a scholarship that would honor their mothers and support students pursuing a nursing degree.

Johnson’s mother, Rose, was a teen parent who did not have the opportunity to attend college but encouraged her daughter to get a degree and was so proud that someone in the family made it so far in higher education.

“She was one that gave of herself to make sure other people were successful. She was funny, giving, strong and determined,” Johnson said. Johnson is the system administrator for Advanced Clinical Practice at ECU Health and maintains a clinical practice as a nephrology nurse practitioner at ECU’s Division of Nephrology and Hypertension.

Brewington’s mother, Lillie, was an epitome of kindness who aspired to be a nurse but never got the chance. She lived her dream through her daughter. Brewington is a three-time ECU College of Nursing graduate and the senior vice president nurse executive at ECU Health Medical Center, where she has provided leadership at all levels. It’s a role she felt prepared for based on her CON experience.

“I always saw the College of Nursing as one of those programs that was of excellence. That’s why I’ve always navigated back to ECU,” she said.

The Lillie Rose Scholarship is an opportunity to give back to marginalized groups, Brewington added, bringing more diversity, equity and inclusion into the profession.

Johnson agrees, highlighting the importance that both mothers had on the impetus for the scholarship.

“I truly believe that we all come through this world with a purpose. Part of our purpose is to leave a legacy. I believe that part of my mom’s legacy is this scholarship because every student that gets this scholarship will be touched by my mother,” Johnson said.

Mary Chatman

Dr. Mary Chatman (’90, ’96, ’12) established an undergraduate scholarship in memory of her mother, Grace. The Grace Scholarship — four awards of $5,000 each — is based on the financial need of students representing historically underrepresented populations with first preference going to students from Hyde, Beaufort, Tyrell, Washington or Bertie counties. Second preference is to students from Edgecombe, Halifax, Hertford or Northampton counties.

Dr. Mary Chatman established an undergraduate scholarship in memory of her mother, Grace.

“Health care always needs minorities,” Chatman said. “I define that as gender, race and different backgrounds. I’m a representative of those differences and I’ve made them my strength in my career. I hope this scholarship gives other nurses an opportunity to do just that. To not have to worry about paying for their education and instead focus on being their best selves.”

Chatman vividly remembers growing up in Hyde County and having to travel an hour to receive health care. In her family, going to the doctor wasn’t the norm which contributed to Chatman’s mother suffering a number of health issues before her death. While Chatman couldn’t lengthen her mother’s life, she became a nurse to be able help as many other people as possible with their health

“Being able to go to ECU from a small town, it was God’s blessing for me to have that opportunity to be a bit of a trailblazer,” she said.

Chatman was drawn to ECU’s College of Nursing for its focus on improving access to care in eastern North Carolina. She started at Vidant Medical Center as a nursing assistant in 1988. Over a nearly two-decade career she held increasing roles of responsibility including staff nurse, director, vice president, and finally chief nursing officer. She moved to Georgia in 2009 and worked as a nurse in the region for 20 years before becoming the executive vice president of Wellstar Health System in Georgia and president of two of its hospitals.

Chatman is a member of the ECU College of Nursing Hall of Fame, was named a distinguished alumna in 2019, and delivered the Elaine Scott Lecture in 2021, which is intended to promote leadership in the nursing profession.

Giving back was important to her because ECU allowed her to earn multiple degrees and find success, she said.

“For me it would be selfish to not do my part,” she said. “You can’t run a college of this magnitude without support. And who better to give support than those who have reaped the benefits?”

Sandra George Robinson

Sandra George Robinson (’92) established the Combat Female Veterans Families United Scholarship for ECU nursing students.

In 1990, Sandra George Robinson (’92) was a junior ECU nursing student preparing for final exams when she was called to active duty in the Army. Within two days she moved out of her apartment, notified her professors and reported for Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia.

She was the first ECU nursing student deployed to war. While being deployed to war wasn’t something she anticipated, the experience proved rewarding, leaving her with a profound sense of commitment and discipline.

Robinson returned to ECU nine months later and was able to graduate on time by loading up on classes and receiving help from her professors to get back to speed on her nursing curriculum.

After completing her degree, Robinson spent almost 30 years working at various hospitals. She is the North Carolina ambassador for Women in Military Service for America Memorial, a member of the American Legion and co-founder of the Desert Storm Combat Women organization.

In 2021, Robinson was inducted into the ECU Distinguished Military Service Society. Currently Robinson runs Combat Female Veterans Families United, Inc., a nonprofit based in Greensboro that she established in 2017 to support women veterans returning to post-uniform life.

The Combat Female Veterans Families United Scholarship she established will provide academic support for future nursing students.

“When you have a successful college experience, and a successful professional experience after that, you’re an example of that hard work and the result of that college education,” Robinson said. “It gives me such a wonderful feeling to know that I’m giving back to a place that made me who I am today.”

ECU is in the public phase of the Pursue Gold campaign to raise half a billion dollars. This ambitious effort will create new paths to success for Pirates on campus, across the country and around the world. Donor gifts during the campaign will keep us constantly leading and ready to advance what’s possible. Learn more at pursuegold.ecu.edu.