News & Events Archives - kateedgertrust

Dr. Marsilea Harrison – Alumni Stories

March 7, 2025

For Dr. Marsilea Harrison, education has always been more than just a pathway to a career – it has been a gateway to discovery, personal growth, and a lifetime of opportunities. As a scientist, her academic journey has taken her across the globe, connecting her with like-minded peers and shaping both her professional and personal life.

“Education has helped me answer the curious questions I had about the world around me,” she reflects. “It allowed me to find what I enjoyed, and what I didn’t enjoy, and ultimately understand myself better. It also introduced me to lifelong friends from around the world and even gave me the opportunity to work overseas.”

Winning a discretionary award from the Kate Edger Foundation during her time at the University of Auckland (whilst studying a Doctorate of Philosophy in Chemistry and Forensic science) was a pivotal moment in her academic journey. While the financial support was invaluable, it was the recognition itself that had the greatest impact.

“I struggled with confidence in myself, and gaining the award helped me to feel braver,” she says. “It encouraged me to continue striving for excellence in my education.”

Now working as a senior research and development scientist, she applies the knowledge and skills gained throughout her education daily. Beyond technical expertise, she has also dedicated herself to supporting others in their academic and professional journeys, engaging in outreach to local communities, schools, and universities.

“I’ve had many conversations with early-career researchers finishing their undergraduate or postgraduate studies, helping them navigate the decision between academia and industry. I’ve been part of both, and actively strive to share my experiences to help others.”

She deeply values the work of the Kate Edger Foundation in empowering women through education and believes there is even more potential for impact. “What you are doing is fantastic—awareness, empowerment, and relieving financial stress all make a huge difference.”

Her advice for current and future scholarship applicants is simple but powerful: Believe in yourself and embrace the opportunities that come your way. Your education is not just about acquiring knowledge—it’s about growth, confidence, and opening doors to a future you might not have imagined possible.

Dr. Susan Nemec (BA, MA, PhD) – Alumni Stories

February 11, 2025

From Auckland to Africa: A Journey of Empowerment

Dr. Susan Nemec (BA, MA, PhD), a proud alumna of Kate Edger Foundation and the University of Auckland (UoA) with qualifications centered around Media and Communication, exemplifies how education can transform lives and communities. Reflecting on her academic journey, Susan shared that pursuing her PhD enabled her to critically engage with civic society and take practical steps toward creating a more sustainable and just world.

In 2006, Susan was awarded the Tressa Thomas Retraining Award from the Kate Edger Foundation. This financial award helped contribute in supporting her pursuit of academic excellence and professional growth. She recalls feeling deeply supported by the scholarship, particularly as her research at the time diverged from the university’s primary areas of focus.

Currently, Susan works at the University of Auckland Business School, where her career has focused on empowering Women, Māori, and Pasifika students. Her role as an educator and mentor underscores her belief in the transformative power of education. She credits her scholarship as a significant stepping stone in her journey, providing crucial support during a pivotal time.

Beyond academia, Susan is deeply involved in social justice and Treaty education as well as being involved in a ‘Project Moroto’ a programme in Uganda, assisting young women with their business ideas. She also takes pride in inspiring her two daughters, who are making their mark in the fields of medicine and business.

Dr. Susan Nemec’s story reminds us that education is a lifelong journey that extends its impact well beyond the classroom.

Sonakssi Ramilan – Awardee Speaker 2024

October 9, 2024

Kia ora and Vanakkam,

My name is Sona and it is an absolute honour to be here as the recipient of the Women in Medicine Award, and a privilege to see the strength and support here today.

This afternoon, I’ve been asked to share my journey and aspirations, so I’ll start with a bit about myself.

I am a fifth-year student, one year away from completing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Auckland. I’m currently doing clinical placements, rotating through hospitals and specialties.

I’ve spent most of 2024 in the Counties Manukau District with placement at Middlemore Hospital being an eye opening experience, delving into diagnoses, diversity, and the systemic disparities that affect many in the region. As I move closer towards becoming a doctor, the balance between humanistic qualities and practical skills continues to amaze me with each specialty being uniquely empowering.

Being a science-oriented learner and a people person, going into health simply seemed to make sense. Since a young age, I’ve seen the difference doctors can make and I wanted to share my kindness and passion in such a way to help people when they’re most vulnerable. Many say Medical School isn’t easy, but it’s a rewarding challenge that has helped me grow through my early years of adulthood while simultaneously living life to the fullest with friends, family, and extracurriculars.

Every day is different, and being in such a career path is beyond a privilege as strangers trust you with the hope of health and healing. There’s always more to see, learn and do. This week, I’ve spent a day around those with intellectual disabilities, a few in the emergency department, and time with outreach immunisations as part of my paediatrics rotation. It’s inspiring to see the variety in career choices filled with ambition seen within this room, with Kate Edger and The Graduation Place bringing us together to celebrate success in the past, present, and future.

As a doctor, I hope to empower and educate my patients, colleagues, and friends both within and outside the medical field. Being born in Sri Lanka, and raised in Aotearoa, Australia, and India has curated a passion for creating change on an international scale. As I advance in medicine, I want to combine my passion for creating systems level change with my interest in practical work to make a difference for my patients, communities, and wider populations as a future leader.

Throughout my 5 years at Uni, I’ve seen the unequal representation of females in leadership and surgical fields and being a Director for the Women in Health Network empowered me to consider this. The Women in Medicine Award resonates this idea and has supported me as I continue to work towards success in the field as a young, female, Kiwi Sri Lankan doctor in training. I’ll end by saying a huge thank you to the Kate Edger Foundation, and I’m excited to see the multidisciplinary talent in this room shape the future of Aotearoa.

Kind regards,

Sonakssi Ramilan

Kate Edger given honorary doctorate

September 20, 2023

Press Release: University of Auckland
Published 19 September

A trailblazer for women in higher education, Kate Milligan Edger has been given a posthumous honorary doctorate from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland as part of its 140th anniversary commemorations.

Some extraordinary New Zealanders are being acknowledged for their contributions to education, the University of Auckland and the wider community, with the first posthumous honorary doctorates ever conferred by the University.

Jill Smith, the granddaughter of suffragette and women’s rights advocate Kate Edger (1857 – 1935), accepted an Honorary Doctor of Literature on behalf of the woman whose name adorns the University’s Student Information Commons at the University’s spring graduation ceremony on 19 September, the 130th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Aotearoa.

On 11 July 1877, Kate Milligan Edger became the first woman in New Zealand to gain a university degree and the first woman in the British Empire to receive a Bachelor of Arts (Mathematics and Latin). At her graduation, more than a thousand people turned out to witness the occasion; Kate the only woman on the stage.

Jill says she’d be absolutely amazed at seeing today’s vast arena with thousands of male and female graduates, and knowing that today, almost 60 percent of students at the University identify as women.

“By overcoming the significant barriers women faced to pursue higher education and lead independent lives, Kate Edger blazed a trail for many others to follow,” she says.

Kate always felt that education was not just about the acquisition of knowledge for its own sake, says Jill, but should also build up the student’s moral character and that intellectual training would make “true women, when it is combined with the training of the heart and the soul”.

“She would be very, very proud that the university is honouring her with this degree and would be grateful, as am I; a proud granddaughter whom she has inspired, as she has with so many women over the years.”

Photo credit: Hemus and Hanna. Ref 4804, Photographs in subseries. Macmillan Brown Library, the University of Canterbury.

Kate Milligan Edger: the first woman in the British Empire to receive a Bachelor of Arts in 1877.
Kate was born in Berkshire, England and with her family, emigrated to New Zealand in 1862. Her father, Reverend Samuel Edger, had ideas about female education and emancipation that were radical for his time; Kate and her three sisters were raised in a household where young women were encouraged to develop their minds, not just their marriage potential.

The young Edger girls were initially educated by their father at home, but later he obtained permission from the headmaster of Auckland College and Grammar School (now Auckland Grammar School) for Kate to study with its top class of boys.

As the only female in the class, Kate said she was treated with courtesy by the other students but was required to enter the class “with downcast eyes” so as not to attract undue attention.

In 1874, she successfully passed a university scholarship exam and enrolled at university using only her initials, ‘K. M. Edger.’ She was admitted because it was assumed she was a man.

After completing her BA at Auckland and her MA at Canterbury College, she was appointed the first principal of Nelson College for Girls where she taught English grammar, composition and literature, physical science, Latin, mathematics, singing and geography, as well as preparing senior girls for university scholarships.

Kate Edger, in cap and gown, with staff at Nelson College for Girls. Photo credit: Nelson Provincial Museum, Tyree Studio Collection: 46195

After her marriage to William Evans, and move to Wellington, she combined running a private school for girls, adult literacy classes, examining for university entrance, suffrage and temperance activities and community work.

She strongly supported women’s suffrage and until the early 1930s, was active in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. She was also heavily involved in the New Zealand Society for the Protection of Women and Children and the National Council of Women and was awarded the King’s Silver Jubilee Medal shortly before her death in May, 1935.

Throughout her life, Kate Edger was a champion for quality education for girls and women and was an active suffragist. She firmly believed that women’s active participation in all aspects of public life and politics would help improve society.

“Kate would be so very pleased that her life work in the education of women, and her work in the political, social and humanities had been so recognised,” says Jill.

“She would be so encouraged that women have taken their place in society, equal with men – especially having female prime ministers.

“Although I do think she would be puzzled why it’s taking so long to achieve pay parity with men. And I’m sure she would be horrified that her work with the Society for the Protection of Women and Children was still not resolved, and in fact the situation appears to have worsened.”

University of Auckland Provost, Professor Valerie Linton, says the University today is built upon the work and the academic hurdles overcome by those who have gone before.

Chancellor Cecilia Tarrant and Jill Smith with Kate Edger’s posthumous honorary doctorate at spring graduation. Photo: Timeless Images

“We are committed to accelerating our progress towards gender equity, in this, our 140th year. We are inspired by Kate Edger, and proud to acknowledge her legacy with an honorary degree.”

In 2005, the New Zealand Federation of Graduate Women renamed its Auckland branch after Kate Edger.

The Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust is devoted to advancing women in higher education across all academic disciplines and has provided more than $6 million in donations to students for fees, expenses and retraining.

And in 2003, the University of Auckland opened the Kate Edger Information Commons. Located in the student quad on City Campus, it’s regarded internationally as an innovative teaching and learning environment and a proud legacy of its namesake.