Few career opportunities were available to minority women in Appalachia in the first half of the 20th century. Nursing offered them a respected, relatively well paid profession and--as few physicians or hospitals would treat people of color--their work was important in challenging health care inequities in the region. Working in both modern surgical suites and tumble-down cabins, these women created unprecedented networks of care, managed nursing schools and built professional nursing organizations while navigating discrimination in the workplace.
Focusing on the careers and contributions of dozens of African American and Eastern Band Cherokee registered nurses, this first comprehensive study of minority nurses in Appalachia documents the quality of health care for minorities in the region during the Jim Crow era. Racial segregation in health care and education and state and federal policies affecting health care for Native Americans are examined in depth.
Untold thousands of black North Carolinians suffered or died during the Jim Crow era because they were denied admittance to white-only hospitals. With little money, scant opportunities for professional education and few white allies, African American physicians, nurses and other community leaders created their own hospitals, schools of nursing and public health outreach efforts.
The author chronicles the important but largely unknown histories of more than 35 hospitals, the Leonard Medical School and 11 hospital-based schools of nursing established in North Carolina, and recounts the decades-long struggle for equal access to care and equal opportunities for African American health care professionals.
About the Speaker
Dr. Phoebe A. Pollitt of Boone serves as a Professor in the department of nursing. She holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and was an Excellence Fellowship recipient. She also has a Master of Arts degree in education from Appalachian State University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She finished her Master of Science in nursing program at East Carolina University in 2008. Prior to coming to Appalachian, Dr. Pollitt served as early childhood education instructor at the Watauga campus of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI). She also was the school nurse and health education coordinator for Watauga County Schools in Boone and adjunct professor of nursing for Winston Salem State University.
Dr. Pollitt also was named a Mary Lewis Wyche Fellow by the North Carolina Nurses Association, received the 2002 "Healthy Carolinians Hero" Award from Watauga County Healthy Carolinians, the 2002 Spirit Award for scholarly activities from Winston Salem State Outstanding Volunteer Award from the North Carolina Cancer Society and the Outstanding Adult Leader Award for North Carolina Project ASSIST.
Dr. Pollitt has authored and co-authored numerous articles and chapters in various publications. She also was a member of the research and writing team and appeared in on-camera interviews for the video "A Century of Caring." She also worked on the calendar "NS Nurses: A Century of Caring" 2003.
An active member of the nursing profession and the community, Dr. Pollitt has served on various boards and committees including the Executive Board of the Watauga County Children's Council; the Advisory Board of Watauga County, "More at Four" Program; 2004-2005 Chair, Watauga High School Family and Consumer Science Advisory Board; Executive Committee, Maternal-Child Health Committee, Adolescent Health Committee, Safe Kids Committee, Watauga Healthy Carolinians; 1998-2003 Chair, Watauga County School Health Advisory; Executive Committee OASIS; Executive Board, Western Region President, State Continuing Education Coordinator, State Membership Chair, NC School Nurse Association; Executive Committee, State Executive Committee - Smoke Free Class of 2000, 1996-2000, the Local Interagency Coordinating Council, NC Board of Nursing Centennial Committee; and Executive Board, Watauga County Drug/Alcohol Council
Thursday Art and Culture (TAC) Talks bring collegiate level lectures to your museum. Featuring scholars from around the country, the lectures are selected to provide supplemental information on our current exhibits, or highlight the history and heritage of the mountains.
Beginning at 6 pm these events have an hour-long lecture with an audience question and answer session at the end. Unless otherwise posted, all TAC talks are free for members and $5 for non-members.