Mary P. Burrill
In 1904, Mary P. Burrill broke barriers and made Emerson history by being the first woman of color to graduate from the College. She went on to become an established playwright, writing about the Black experience, advocating for women’s rights, and protesting against lynching and discrimination. In 2002, the Mary Burrill Scholarship was established to support first-year economically disadvantaged students, in order to continue Burrill’s legacy.
Impact
Donating to the Mary Burrill Scholarship will continue to prioritize enriching conversations in the classroom and beyond, giving students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to learn from each other's lived experiences. Through the Mary Burrill Scholarship, among other funds, the College is committed to helping prospective students who are economically disadvantaged afford an Emerson education.
"I have supported this scholarship from the beginning and welcome you to join me in donating to the Mary Burrill Scholarship. I would not be who I am without Emerson College, and I believe if we have the ability to, we must pay it forward. I hope you can contribute to this scholarship and bolster the life-changing support this scholarship brings to students of diverse backgrounds. We must continue her legacy and ensure future generations will also enjoy the life-changing support we received." -- Trustee Doug Holloway '76