UIC Elise Malary Memorial Scholarship for LGBTQIA+ Students

In March of 2022, we tragically lost UIC alumna and Black trans activist, Elise Malary.

Elise began her work with LGBTQIA+ organizations in Chicago while she was a student at UIC. She was extremely passionate about advancing social justice for the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC community, especially trans people of color.

To honor Elise’s legacy at UIC, the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of LGBTQ+ People and the Gender and Sexuality Center are proud to announce that a scholarship for undergraduate and graduate/professional students has been renamed the “UIC Elise Malary Memorial Scholarship for LGBTQIA+ Students.” Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis each year to students with demonstrated leadership and involvement in the promotion of a positive identity for LGBTQIA+ students at UIC and/or within Chicago communities.

Fabiana Malary, Elise’s sister and UIC alumna, had this to say about the scholarship renaming: “My hope for this scholarship is to help continue my sister’s mission to uplift and empower our community. This scholarship will not only support students financially but will also inspire them to take up the mantle of leadership and social justice advocacy, just as she inspired me. My deep interest in social justice law is driven by her example, and I am confident that this scholarship will help cultivate the next generation of leaders who will continue her fight for justice and equality.”

Scholarships valued up to $1,000 for undergraduate students will be awarded across the two semesters of the 2024-2025 academic year (50% during the Fall 2024 semester and 50% during the Spring 2025 semester). Scholarships valued up to $500 for graduate/professional students will be awarded across the two semesters of the 2024-2025 academic year (50% during the Fall 2024 semester and 50% during the Spring 2025 semester). The scholarship has the potential to be renewable.

Elise was a founding member of the Andersonville-based Chicago Therapy Collective (CTC) and established CTC’s “Hire Trans Now” project, which sought to improve hiring practices for businesses in Chicago. The CTC has been instrumental in honoring her legacy in Andersonville and are working on a permanent mural outside the Women & Children First Bookstore to honor Elise, with an anticipated unveiling in November 2024 around the next Transgender Day of Remembrance.

On March 29, 2024, which would have been her 34th birthday, the block of Catalpa Ave. between Clark St. and Ashland Ave. was given the honorary name “Elise Malary Way.” In addition, the 40th Ward Alderperson’s office is partnering with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to conduct a plaza improvement project to create a pedestrian plaza by closing Catalpa between Clark and Ashland to traffic and turning it into a beautiful neighborhood destination where the community can gather, host events, and browse the local farmer’s market. This plaza will be named in honor of Elise.

This world was a better place with Elise in it and she is missed.

Thank you,

UIC Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of LGBTQ+ People and Gender & Sexuality Center