Nancy Cornelius facts for kids
Nancy Cornelius, also known as Nancy Cornelius Skenadore (born June 13, 1861 – died November 2, 1908), was a very important person in American history. She was the first Native American woman in the United States to become a trained nurse. This was a big step for Native American women and for nursing.
Early Life and Education
Nancy Cornelius was born on a special piece of land called a reservation. This was where the Oneida tribe lived. Her reservation was located near Green Bay, Wisconsin. Nancy went to school right there on the reservation.
After her early schooling, she decided to continue her education. She went to a training school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Later, in October 1890, she finished her nursing studies. She graduated from the Hartford Training School for Nurses in Hartford, Connecticut. In 1901, on Easter Sunday, she married Daniel Skenadore.
Nursing Career
After becoming a nurse, Nancy Cornelius started working in Connecticut. But she soon returned to her home state of Wisconsin. She began working at the Oneida Mission Hospital. This hospital was very important for her community.
Nancy took on a lot of responsibility at the hospital. Often, there wasn't a doctor living at the hospital all the time. This meant Nancy had to handle many important tasks herself. She was the superintendent of the hospital until 1905. She continued to work as a nurse, helping many people, until she passed away in 1908. Her work helped improve healthcare for her community.
