Frances Reed Elliot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frances Reed Elliott
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Frances Reed Elliott Crisis Magazine 1918
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| Born | 1892 Shelby, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Died | 1965 (aged 72–73) |
| Nationality | American |
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| Known for | African American Red Cross Nurse |
Frances Reed Elliott (1892–1965) was a brave and determined nurse. She made history by becoming the first African American woman accepted into the American Red Cross Nursing Service. This happened on July 2, 1918.
Contents
Early Life and Challenges
Frances Reed Elliott was born in Shelby, North Carolina, in 1892. Her parents were an African-American sharecropper and the daughter of a plantation owner.
Sadly, Frances lost both of her parents by the age of five. She grew up without them, and her schooling was not always regular. Even without a teacher, she worked hard to teach herself how to read and write.
Education and Nursing Career
Frances graduated from Knoxville College when she was 25. She became a teacher to earn money for more schooling. However, Frances really wanted to be a nurse and help children.
In 1910, she joined the Freedman's Hospital Training School for Nurses in Washington, D.C.. In 1913, the final nursing exams were given out based on race. The exam for white nurses was seen as the most important.
Frances bravely demanded to take the harder exam with the white students. She became the first African American in D.C. to pass this difficult nursing exam.
Her first job was as a private nurse. Later, she worked at Provident Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She also took extra courses at Columbia University to learn even more.
Making History with the Red Cross
Frances Reed Elliott faced unfair treatment because of her race. She was first turned down by the Red Cross. But she did not give up!
In 1918, her hard work paid off. She was finally accepted as the first African American nurse in the Red Cross Nursing Service. This was a huge step forward.
When World War I began, Frances wanted to join the Army Nurse Corps to help soldiers. However, she was refused. White nurses automatically received special Red Cross pins that allowed them to join the Corps.
Frances's pin arrived late and had "1A" on it. This meant she was the first African American nurse and could not join the Army Nurse Corps. This unfair "A" system lasted until 1949.
Even though she couldn't go overseas, Frances still helped with the war effort. She nursed soldiers in Tennessee. She showed great strength and dedication.
Helping Communities
Frances Reed Elliott made many important contributions to the Red Cross and her community. She became the director of nurses training in Tuskegee, Alabama. She also started the first training school for African American nurses in Michigan.
In Detroit, she managed clinics that helped pregnant mothers and young children. During the Great Depression, she ran a food center at a Ford Motor plant. This helped provide food for workers and their families.
Frances also started a nursery in Michigan that was very successful. It even caught the attention of Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady of the United States. Eleanor Roosevelt helped raise money for the center.
Later Life and Legacy
Frances Reed Elliott dedicated her life to helping others. She was scheduled to receive a special award from the Red Cross for her amazing service.
Sadly, Frances passed away in 1965, just nine days before her award ceremony. She was buried at Rosehill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Her legacy as a pioneering nurse continues to inspire many.
