Evelyn M. Cudmore Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to a full-time UPEI student enrolled in Department of Applied Human Sciences, based on demonstrated volunteer leadership and experience in the following areas: Red Cross or other water safety programs as an instructor, supervisor, or in a similar capacity; experience as a youth camp counsellor, leader, or swim instructor; or other notable volunteer activity in outdoor education. Students on scholarships/bursaries of less than full tuition are eligible.

Background: This scholarship was established at UPEI by the Evelyn Cudmore Scholarship Committee, in memory of Evelyn Cudmore, O.C., LLD (Hon.) for her strong leadership and commitment to Red Cross and water safety training. It was originated upon her retirement from the Red Cross. As the founder of the Red Cross water safety service, small craft safety and first aid in PEI, and an organizer of the Life Saving Society of PEI, Mrs. Cudmore, who lived in Charlottetown, was responsible for literally thousands of Islanders learning to swim, and was instrumental in the founding of the National Lifeguard Service.

Active in her community, Mrs. Cudmore was Provincial Commissioner of the Girl Guides of Canada, a member of the board of directors of the YMCA, past-president of the United Way, and a charter member and past district governor of Zonta International. She was also a founding member of the Maritime Association for Physical Education and Recreation, a charter member of the Charlottetown WoHeLo Club, and a member of the board of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation.

Mrs. Cudmore received the Order of Canada, an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Prince Edward Island; the Service Cross, presented by Lord Mountbatten; a Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary International; the Centennial Medal; the Queen's Jubilee Medal; and the R.Tait MacKenzie Medal.

Her long career with the Red Cross began as a volunteer with the uniformed Red Cross Corps in 1941. She had earlier been trained as a first-aid instructor and the Red Cross felt her training would be better utilized for instruction of air raid wardens. Mrs. Cudmore's training and experience led to the Red Cross asking her to represent the PEI Division at a national conference and school of instruction in June 1945. She returned as a highly qualified swimming instructor. After attending the national conference, she organized the first Red Cross water safety training course in Canada, held in Charlottetown.

In the late 1940s, she set up a series of first-aid posts in various areas of the province where no physicians or medical facilities were located. In 1947, Mrs. Cudmore accessed free airtime on Charlottetown's CFCY radio to promote safety and accident prevention. A few years later, CJRW radio in Summerside offered the Red Cross thirty minutes of broadcasting for first aid and safety on a weekly basis. In addition, she also had a weekly television program from Charlottetown. She became the voice of the Red Cross and continued these programs until her retirement in 1981. Upon her retirement she served as public relations co-ordinator for the PEI Division of the Canadian Red Cross.

Mrs. Cudmore was educated in Morell and Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown. Evelyn Cudmore died in 1992.