Sara Iredell Fleetwood facts for kids

Sara Iredell Fleetwood (1849–1908) was an American teacher and community leader. She helped many Black women become professional nurses. Sara was one of the first nurses to graduate from the Howard University's Freedman's Hospital School of Nursing.

Later, she became the head nurse at Freedman's Hospital. She also started the Freedmen's Nursing Association. Sara Fleetwood was the first African-American woman to serve on the nurse's examining board in Washington, D.C.

Early Life and Education

Sara Louise Iredell was born in April 1849 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents were Elizabeth Susan and Geoffrey George Iredell. Her father was from North Carolina. Her mother was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Sara's mother was the sister of Frank J. Webb. Their parents were abolitionists, people who worked to end slavery. When Sara was a child, her family moved to Philadelphia. She lived there with her cousins. Between 1856 and 1858, she studied at Oberlin College. She also worked there as a student teacher.

A Career in Teaching and Community Work

After college, Sara Iredell moved back to Philadelphia. She started her career teaching in public schools. In 1863, she helped create the Ladies Union Association. She worked as the secretary for this group.

The Ladies Union helped raise money for African-American soldiers. They also provided aid to soldiers who were sick or hurt. In 1866, Sara trained at the Institute for Colored Youth. She finished her training in 1867.

She then taught at the Roberts Vaux School from 1867 to 1868. After that, she taught in public schools in Frederick, Maryland. Because of low pay, she moved to Washington, D.C. to teach.

In Washington, Sara became involved in community work. She joined the National Association for the Relief of Destitute Colored Women and Children. In 1869, she married Medal of Honor recipient Christian Fleetwood. They had a daughter named Edith.

The Fleetwoods were active in the African-American community. They hosted gatherings with plays and music. In 1892, Sara helped start the Colored Women's League of Washington. This group focused on issues important to Black women. She spoke about topics like childcare and training for parents. She also talked about creating nurseries for working mothers.

Becoming a Nurse and Leader

In 1893, Sara Fleetwood joined the first nursing class at Howard University's Freedman's Hospital School of Nursing. She studied under Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. That same year, she helped organize relief efforts with her cousin, Evelyn D. Shaw. They helped feed and house people affected by the Panic of 1893, a time of economic trouble.

Sara graduated from Freedman's in 1896. She first worked as a private nurse in Washington. In February 1901, she became the new supervisor for the nursing school. She was chosen for the job after passing a national test. She scored higher than many other applicants. This was the first time a Black supervisor held this important role.

In August 1901, she was confirmed as the "Directoress of Nurses." She stayed in this position until 1904. Sara Fleetwood also started the Freedmen’s Nurses Association. She represented this group at a national convention in 1904.

In 1907, an examining board for nurses was created in Washington, D.C. Sara was chosen as the first Black person to serve on this board. Her term ended in June of that year. Even though people protested, no other African American was appointed to the board after her.

Later Life and Legacy

Sara Iredell Fleetwood passed away on February 1, 1908, in Washington, D.C. She died from complications of diabetes. Her and her husband's writings are kept at the Library of Congress. They are known as the Christian A. Fleetwood Papers.

The house where the Fleetwoods lived is at 319 U Street NW in Washington, D.C. This location is now part of the African American Heritage Trail in the city. A historic marker identifies the site.