The Mercy-Douglass Hospital School of Nursing, a product of the merger of two institutions, Mercy Hospital and Fredrick Douglass Hospital, was an African-American hospital and the first training school for black nurses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It operated from 1895-1960.
The school of nursing records are predominately student files and photographs that document the black experience in nursing. This series of images from Fredrick Douglass Hospital are pre-1920 student records, including applications, letters from potential students, and references, transcripts, and photographs. Students applying to the school were expected to be well-educated and of good moral standing, neat, and pleasing in appearance, and both obedient yet assertive. By drawing on these many values, young black women were able to exercise their agency.
These sources document the demographics of nursing students, including age, educational and employment background, location, and religion. The records also include performance evaluations, employment after graduation, the subjects required for training, and the qualities associated with a successful nurse.
Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital Training School Application, Student: Evelyn Barnum, 1915. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of support for student applicant Evelyn Barnum, 1915. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of support for student applicant Evelyn Barnum. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of support, physician verification of student's acceptable physical condition and good health. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence with training school's superintendent of nurses regarding the student's application and additional background information, page 1 of 5. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence with training school's superintendent of nurses regarding the student's application and additional background information, page 2 of 5. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence with training school's superintendent of nurses regarding the student's application and additional background information, page 3 of 5. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence with training school's superintendent of nurses regarding the student's application and additional background information, page 4 of 5. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence with training school's superintendent of nurses regarding the student's application and additional background information, page 5 of 5. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Evelyn Barnum, 1915-1917, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Evelyn Barnum, 1915-1917, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Effie Bowman, 1915-1918, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Effie Bowman, 1915-1918, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Photo, Mildred Lillian Ennis. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital Training School Application, Student: Mildred Lillian Ennis, 1916. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence with training school's superintendent of nurses, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence with training school's superintendent of nurses, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, physician verification of student's acceptable physical condition. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of support for student applicant Mildred Lillian Ennis, 1915. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Mildred Lillian Ennis, 1916-1918, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Mildred Lillian Ennis, 1916-1918, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Magnolia Hooper, 1916-1918, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Magnolia Hooper, 1916-1918, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Photo, Lovice Jones. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Photo, Lovice Jones. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital Training School Application, Student: Lovice Jones, 1917. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of support for student applicant Lovice Jones from her pastor, 1917. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence regarding application requirements for the training school with additional background information about the applicant, Lovice Jones, 1917. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, physician verification of student physical exam, 1917. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918, page 1 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918, page 2 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1917-1918, page 3 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1917, page 4 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1919, page 5 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1919, page 6 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1919, page 7 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1919, page 8 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1919, page 9 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918-1919, page 10 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918,page 11 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918,page 12 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918,page 13 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918,page 14 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Hospital Duty Record, 1917-1920, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Hospital Duty Record, 1920, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript,Lovice Jones, 1917-1920page 1 of 2Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Lovice Jones 1917-1920, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Typewritten Student Transcript, Intended for University of Pennsylvania Director of Nursing, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Typewritten Student Transcript, Intended for University of Pennsylvania Director of Nursing, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Lovice Jones, 1917-1920, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Lovice Jones 1917-1920, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Typewritten Student Transcript, Intended for University of Pennsylvania Director of Nursing, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Typewritten Student Transcript, Intended for University of Pennsylvania Director of Nursing, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1919, page 1 of 11. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1919, page 2 of 11. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918, page 3 of 11. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918, page 4 of 11. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918, page 5 of 11. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918, page 6 of 11. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918, page 7 of 11. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918, page 8 of 11. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918, page 9 of 11. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1917-1918, page 10 of 11. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record 1918, page 11 of 11. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Hospital Duty Record, 1917-1920, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Hospital Duty Record, 1920, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Edith Estelle Junior, 1917-1920, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Edith Estelle Junior, 1917-1920, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital Training School Application, Student: Helen H. Reid, 1916. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, physician verification of student's acceptable physical condition and good health, 1916. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of support for student applicant Helen H. Reid, 1916. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, 1949, notification of the closure of Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital's School of Nursing. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Helen H. Reid, 1916-1918, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Helen H. Reid, 1916-1918, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Mary Elene Stewart, 1915-1918, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Mary Elene Stewart, 1915-1918, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, verification of student enrollment at Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, statement from student record, verification of student enrollment at Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Reference Request sent to Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Alice Florence Wainwright, 1913-1915, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Alice Florence Wainwright, 1913-1915, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Photo, Lillian E. Welch. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital Training School Application, Student: Lillian E. Welch, 1915. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence regarding student's application, superintendent of nurses requesting additional verification of applicant's past education. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence regarding application, applicant's response to superintendent of nurses, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence regarding application, applicant's response to superintendent of nurses, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
High School Course Report, Student: Lillian Welch. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, physician verification of student's acceptable physical condition and good health, 1915. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of support for student applicant Lillian E. Welch, 1915. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Lillian E. Welch, 1915-1918, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Lillian E. Welch, 1915-1918, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Photo, Mabel Williams. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital Training School Application, Student: Mabel Williams, 1915. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence with superintendent regarding training school application, 1915. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence with superintendent regarding training school application, 1915. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, physician verification of student physical exam and student's good physical health. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of support for student applicant Mabel Williams from her pastor, 1915. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Mabel Williams, 1915-1918, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Mabel Williams, 1915-1918, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Photo, Camilla Alberta Grant. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital Training School Application, Student: Camilla Alberta Grant. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Envelope addressed to the Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital Superintendent of Nurses, contains correspondence regarding Camilla Grant's application to Lincoln Hospital, 1921. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence regarding Camilla Grant's application to Lincoln Hospital, 1921. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence regarding Camilla Grant's performance in training school and application to Lincoln Hospital, 1922. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, physician verification of student physical exam and student's good physical health, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, physician verification of student physical exam and student's good physical health, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, notification of student's change of address. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of support for student applicant Camilla Alberta Grant from her pastor, 1917Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Application for registration for appointment in the Freedman's Hospital, Applicant: Camilla Alberta Grant, 1917, page 1 of 5. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Application for registration for appointment in the Freedman's Hospital, Applicant: Camilla Alberta Grant, 1917, page 2 of 5. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Application for registration for appointment in the Freedman's Hospital, Applicant: Camilla Alberta Grant, 1917, page 3 of 5. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Application for registration for appointment in the Freedman's Hospital, Applicant: Camilla Alberta Grant, 1917, page 4 of 5. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Application for registration for appointment in the Freedman's Hospital, Applicant: Camilla Alberta Grant, 1917, page 5 of 5. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1921, page 1 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1921, page 2 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1921, page 3 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1921, page 4 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 5 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 6 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 7 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 8 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1918-1919, page 9 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1918, page 10 of 14.Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1918, page 11 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1918, page 12 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1918, page 13 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1918, page 14 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Hospital Duty Record, Camilla A. Grant, 1918-1920, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Hospital Duty Record, Camilla A. Grant, 1920-1921, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Camilla Alberta Grant, 1918-1921, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Camilla Alberta Grant, 1918-1921, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital Training School Application, Student: Inez May Hoyt. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence regarding student's application materials, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence regarding student's application materials, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, physician verification of student physical exam and student's good physical health. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of support for student applicant Inez Hoyt from her pastor, 1918. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of support for student applicant Inez Hoyt from her parents' pastor, 1918. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Board of Registration Results, Inez Hoyt, 1923. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 1 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 2 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 3 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 4 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 5 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 6 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 7 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 8 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1919, page 9 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1918-1919, page 10 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1918, page 11 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1918, page 12 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1921, page 13 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, 1921, page 14 of 14. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Hospital Duty Record, Inez May Hoyt 1918-1921, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Hospital Duty Record, Inez May Hoyt 1918-1921, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Inez May Hoyt, 1918-1921, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Inez May Hoyt, 1918-1921, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital Training School Application, Student: Cora Geraldine Williams. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence with superintendent of nurses regarding training school application and materials, 1918, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence with superintendent of nurses regarding training school application and materials, 1918, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of Support for student applicant Cora Geraldine Williams regarding her moral character and former employment as a teacher. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Letter of support for student applicant Cora Geraldine Williams from her pastor, 1918. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, physician verification of student physical exam and student's good physical health, 1918. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Correspondence, student requesting written proof of her nursing training at the Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital Training School, 1938. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1919, page 1 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1919, page 2 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1919, page 3 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1919, page 4 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1918-1919, page 5 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1918-1919, page 6 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1918, page 7 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1918, page 8 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1918, page 9 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1918, page 10 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1918, page 11 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1918, page 12 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Efficiency Record ,Cora Geraldine Williams, 1921, page 13 of 13. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Hospital Duty Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1918-1921, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Hospital Duty Record, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1918-1921, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1918-1921, page 1 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital
Student Transcript, Cora Geraldine Williams, 1918-1921, page 2 of 2. Mercy-Douglass Hospital