Winston C. Hackett facts for kids

Dr. Winston Clifton Hackett (1881–1949) was a very important doctor. He was the first African American physician in Arizona. He started the Booker T. Washington Memorial Hospital. This was the first hospital in Phoenix that helped the African American community.

Early Life and Education

Winston Hackett was born in Tyler, Texas. He went to school there when he was young. Later, he became a student at Tuskegee University. This is a private university in Tuskegee, Alabama. It is a historically black university (HBCU). This means it was started to educate African American students. Booker T. Washington founded this university.

Dr. Hackett then studied medicine at Meharry Medical College. This college is in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It helps train healthcare workers and scientists. Dr. Hackett graduated with a medical degree. He specialized in obstetrics, which is about helping mothers give birth.

Dr. Hackett's Medical Practice

In 1916, Dr. Hackett moved to Phoenix. He started his doctor's office in his home. It was located at 729 W. Sherman Street. This made him the first African American doctor in Arizona. He married Ayra Elberta Hammonds Hackett (1896–1932). She was also from Texas. They had two children, Winstona and John.

In 1925, the family moved to 1334 E. Jefferson Street. Ayra helped deliver babies in their home for five years. At that time, many African Americans in Phoenix could not get medical care. This was because the city had segregation. Dr. Hackett also helped white people who had illnesses that were not well understood. These patients were often turned away by other doctors.

His wife, Ayra, was also very active in the community. In 1929, she started a weekly newspaper called the Arizona Gleam. She published it from their home. She was the only African American woman in Arizona to own a newspaper. She was also a leader in her church's youth group.

Building a Hospital for Everyone

Three of the six small houses Dr. Hackett built for patients with TB.

Dr. Hackett wanted to create a hospital for the African American community. At first, he was not successful. In 1921, he bought the house next door to his home. It was at 1342 E. Jefferson St. In 1922, he opened the Booker T. Washington Memorial Hospital there. It was a private hospital.

The hospital started small. It did not have many beds. Each bed was on a screened porch of the house. Dr. Hackett bought three more lots next to the hospital. This helped him make the hospital bigger. He also built six small houses for patients with tuberculosis (TB). Patients paid between $12.50 and $35.00 per week to stay there. Dr. Hackett also opened a pharmacy nearby. He hired African American nurses from the South. These nurses had college degrees. Working with him gave them valuable experience.

Dr. Hackett’s hospital grew. Soon, it had 25 beds. The hospital helped not only the African American community but also people of other races. In 1927, a newspaper called the Arizona Republican (now the Arizona Republic) wrote about it. They said it was:

"The finest and most completely equipped hospital owned and devoted to the welfare of colored people west of the Mississippi."

In 1932, Ayra became very sick with pneumonia. She died on November 13, 1932, at her home. She was buried in Phoenix. Her newspaper, the Arizona Gleam, continued until 1939.

Dr. Hackett's hospital faced money problems. Another hospital nearby became bigger and offered more services. Also, some patients could not pay their bills. Dr. Hackett's eyesight also started to get worse. He had to close the hospital in 1943.

The Winston Inn: A Place to Stay

Dr. Hackett changed the hospital building into an inn. He called it the "Winston Inn." This inn provided a place to stay for African American soldiers during World War II. Many non-white teachers, entertainers, and athletes also stayed there. The inn stayed open until racial integration happened in Phoenix. This was during the Civil Rights era. Both Dr. Hackett's house and the hospital building were later torn down.

Later Life and Legacy

Grave-site of Winston C. Hackett

Dr. Hackett's daughter, Winstona, married Aubrey C. Aldridge in 1943. Aubrey was a school principal. Winstona was also very active in her community, just like her father. She helped start the Phoenix Chapter of The Links Inc. She was also a long-time member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Dr. Hackett passed away on February 19, 1949. He was 67 years old. He is buried in Phoenix at the Greenwood/Memory Lawn Mortuary & Cemetery.

Images for kids

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  Grave-site of Ayra E. Hackett

See also

• List of historic properties in Phoenix

Arizona pioneers

• Mansel Carter
• Bill Downing
• Henry Garfias
• John C. Lincoln
• Paul W. Litchfield
• Joe Mayer
• William John Murphy
• Wing F. Ong
• Levi Ruggles
• Sedona Schnebly
• Michael Sullivan
• Trinidad Swilling
• Ora Rush Weed
• Henry Wickenburg