Mildred L. Burns

I was born in Riverton, a small town in southern Iowa, a good many years ago. According to my mother, I was destined to be the sixth generation woman teacher in our family. I completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1942.

I tried out a variety of jobs—soda jerk, sales clerk, Deputy County Treasurer, and Stock Control Manager in a department store. I have two children. My daughter Jeri Ohmart has worked in a program of Sustainable Agriculture in the Schools through The University of California at Davis. And my son Dr. Larry Jones is a professor of Econometrics at the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis.

Eventually I did become a teacher at Peter Lassen Junior High School in Sacramento, California and discovered that I liked teaching, and that I was considered a good teacher. After twelve years, I was granted a sabbatical leave and undertook a doctoral program at Stanford University. I completed the program in 1968, was awarded the PhD, and was offered a position as Assistant Professor at McGill University in Montreal to teach school administrative studies such as Planning, Finance, and Supervision of Instruction, along the way, becoming a Canadian citizen.

During my twenty-five years at McGill I worked with hundreds of students, some local and some from very distant countries. I was the major supervisor for twenty-five Masters and PhD thesis programs. Many of these students have remained good friends, becoming my ‘Canadian family.’

Since retiring in 1995, I have whiled away my time with friends, and with writing a family memoir, The Wolfe Pack, and now this novel, Redstone Manor.

MCW’s 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Woman of the Year Award

On Friday, December 2, 2011, the Montreal Council of Women celebrated its 25th Woman of the Year Award Gala at the Mount Stephen Club in Montreal.

Two of MCW’s very own women were the recipients of this award. The Honourable Lucie Pépin, retired Senator, and Dr. Mildred L. Burns, retired Associate Professor, Administration and Policy Studies in Education, McGill University, were chosen for their outstanding contributions in promoting the advancement of women. Over 150 members and guests attended to pay tribute to Lucie and Mildred. The MCW is proud to have Lucie Pépin as its Honorary President and Mildred L. Burns as a long standing member who has served on the Board of Directors.

Governor General Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case, 2007 Recipients

Dr. Mildred Burns, Montréal, Quebec

In her 25 years as a professor of educational administration at McGill University, Dr. Mildred Burns worked tirelessly to inspire students, men as well as women, to see beyond self-imposed limits and to promote women’s full participation in senior educational roles. An inspired leader and mentor, Dr. Burns is widely appreciated as a connector of people with professional as well as personal opportunities. Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Burns helped win the right for staff and professionals at McGill to work beyond the age of 65. Retiring in 1994 at the age of 75, Dr. Burns continues her active participation in the Delta Kappa Gamma Society to ensure that women have access to the range of educational programs, from literacy to undergraduate and graduate programs, and the support they need to reach their full potential.

DELTA KAPPA GAMMA – DR. Mildred Burns Award for Leadership in Education

Dr. Mildred L. Burns from McGill University has been a strong leader in encouraging greater involvement of women in senior educational positions. Established in 2001 by the Delta Kappa Gamma Society in honour of Dr. Mildred Burns, a retired associate professor of the Faculty of Education. Awarded by the Faculty of Education Graduate Studies Scholarships Committee to a student upon graduation who has completed an M.A. in Educational Studies leadership option, on the basis of academic excellence. If two or more equally qualified students are identified, preference shall be given to a female student. The student should have two or more years of relevant professional experience in the educational field.