Hulda Margaret Lyttle facts for kids

Hulda Margaret Lyttle Frazier (born 1889, died August 7, 1983) was an important American nurse. She taught nursing and managed hospitals for most of her career. She worked at Meharry Medical College School of Nursing and Hubbard Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Hulda Lyttle worked hard to make nursing training better for African American nurses. She also improved hospital standards for African American patients.

She was the first African American person to pass the nursing license exam in Tennessee.

Early Life and Learning

Hulda Margaret Lyttle was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1889. Her parents were David and Rebecca Lyttle.

In 1910, Hulda started her nursing training. She joined the first class at George W. Hubbard Hospital's Training School for Nurses. This school later became the School of Nursing at Meharry Medical College. In 1913, Hulda finished her training. She was part of the school's first group of graduates.

In 1914, Hulda went to Lincoln Hospital School of Nursing in New York City. This was one of the few schools that accepted African American nursing students. There, she earned a six-month training certificate.

Hulda earned a bachelor of science degree in 1938. She got this degree from Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State College. In 1939, she received a special grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. This allowed her to study how nursing schools are organized and managed. She studied at the University of Toronto School of Nursing.

Nursing Career

After finishing at Lincoln Hospital School of Nursing, Hulda took a temporary job. She worked as the Supervisor of Nursing at Southern University's School of Nursing. In 1915, her work at Southern University ended. Hulda then returned to Nashville. She passed the Tennessee State Board Examiners nursing licensing exam.

She became the Director of the Hubbard Training School of Nursing. In 1923, she was also named Superintendent of Hubbard Hospital. In 1931, Meharry Medical College and Hubbard Hospital moved. They moved to a larger campus in northern Nashville.

In 1938, Lyttle became the dean of the newly named School of Nursing. This school had higher standards for accepting students. Also in 1938, Meharry School of Nursing was officially recognized. It was accredited by the State University of New York. Hulda Lyttle retired from Meharry in 1943.

After leaving Meharry, Hulda worked for a year. She was at the United Service Organizations (USO) in North Carolina. Later, she moved to Houston, Texas. There, she helped manage a new school of nursing. In 1948, Lyttle took a job at the University of California. She was the administrator for their School Health Programs.

Lyttle later moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas. She became the Superintendent at National Baptist Bath House Hospital.

Nursing Organizations

Hulda Lyttle was active in several nursing groups. She worked to improve the nursing profession.

Lambda Pi Alpha Sorority

Lyttle started the first Lambda Pi Alpha Sorority in 1930. This was at Meharry Medical College School of Nursing. The State of Tennessee officially recognized it in 1932. By 1931, there were seven chapters of the sorority. They were in cities like Nashville, Atlanta, Kansas City, Indianapolis, and New Orleans.

National Association for Colored Graduate Nurses

In 1936, Lyttle was chosen as the first vice president. This was for the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses. In 1939, she was elected president of the organization's southern region.

Later Life

Lyttle married S. M. Frazier in May 1954. The couple then moved to Miami, Florida.

Later Education

In 1958, Lyttle received a special certificate. It was a vocational certificate from Florida's State Department of Education. In 1959, she took more classes. These were extension courses at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She received a teaching certificate from the state of Florida in 1961.

Recognition

In June 1946, a building at Meharry was named after her. The student nurses' residence became Hulda Margaret Lyttle Hall. This building was recognized in 1998. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It is important for its architecture and its link to African American history. In 2009, Meharry received a large grant. It was one million dollars from the U.S. Department of Interior. This money was for repairs and restoration of the hall.

Death and Legacy

Hulda Lyttle died at Cedars of Lebanon Medical Center in Miami. She passed away on August 7, 1983. Her work helped shape nursing education and standards for African American nurses.

List of Academic Writings

• School for Negro Nurses: At the George W. Hubbard Hospital and Meharry Medical College Nashville, Tennessee. Hulda M. Lyttle American Journal of Nursing Vol. 39, No. 2 (Feb., 1939), pp. 133–138.