Jessie Sleet Scales facts for kids

Jessie Sleet Scales (1865–1956) was a very important nurse who became the first Black public health nurse in the United States. She helped create and grow public health nursing in New York City and is seen as a pioneer in this field.

Jessie's Early Life and Training

Jessie Scales was born in Stratford, Canada. She studied nursing at Provident Hospital in Chicago and finished her training in 1895. After that, she took another short course at Freedman's Hospital in Washington, D.C.. She then worked for two years at a health resort in Lakewood, New Jersey. After this, she decided she wanted to become a district nurse.

Becoming a District Nurse

Becoming a district nurse was a big challenge for a Black woman at that time, but Jessie was determined. She first tried to get a job at St. Phoebe's Mission in Brooklyn, New York. They were interested but told her there were no open positions. However, they suggested she contact the Charity Organization Society (COS).

At the COS, she met Dr. Devine, who was the general secretary. Dr. Devine knew that many African American people in New York City were getting tuberculosis. He thought it was important to hire a Black district nurse because of the racial barriers that existed back then.

A Groundbreaking Job

Two months later, on October 3, 1900, Jessie Scales became the first Black district nurse at the COS. This happened even though some people on the committee were against it, thanks to Dr. Devine's recommendation. Her main job was to convince the African American community in New York City to get treatment for tuberculosis, which was a major health problem.

Jessie knew her job might only last for two months as a trial. But she did so well that after one year, the committee fully accepted her as a permanent employee. Her work was even written about in The American Journal of Nursing. She wrote a report called "A Successful Experiment." In this report, she shared how she visited many families and cared for people with different illnesses, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, and heart disease. She also gave baths, dressed wounds, and cared for new mothers and babies.

Improving Community Health

Besides her work with the Charity Organization Society, Jessie Scales also worked with another woman named Elizabeth Tyler. Together, they started a new branch of the Henry Street Settlement called the Stillman House. The Stillman House worked to make health conditions better for the Black community.

Jessie stayed at the COS for nine years until she married John R. Scales. She and Elizabeth Tyler were very successful in giving excellent nursing care to families who needed help.

Personal Life

Outside of her nursing career, Jessie Scales was married to John R. Scales. They lived in New York and had one daughter named Edna Scales.