Catherine Alicia Georges

Catherine Alicia Georges, EdD, RN, FAAN, (born February 14, 1944) is an American registered nurse, professor, and nonprofit executive. She served as the volunteer president of the AARP from 2018 through 2020 and has been recognized as a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing.

Early life and education

Georges was born on February 14, 1944 on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Growing up on St. Thomas, she attended and graduated from Sts. Peter & Paul School. The post office in Frenchtown is named after her father, Arturo Watlington Sr.

Career

In 1965, Georges joined the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, and worked there as a nurse, supervisor, and district director through 1975. Georges served as president of the National Black Nurses Association from 1987 to 1991. She also served as president of the board of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools. and as volunteer president from 2018 through 2020. She has also spoken about the impact to the nursing profession as the senior citizen population continues to increase. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Georges worked to dispel COVID-19 misinformation and advocated for vaccine access for residents in the Bronx.

Awards and honors

Georges has been honored with multiple awards over her career, including the Mary Mahoney Award, the Jane Delano Distinguished Service Award, and the Mabel Staupers Award. In 2019, she was named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing for her "extraordinary contributions to the nursing profession". In 2020, she received the Distinguished Alumna Award from Seton Hall.