Emma Ann Reynolds

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For the British politician, see Emma Reynolds.
Emma Ann Reynolds
1900, when she took charge of nurses at Freedman's Hospital
Born(1862-08-03)August 3, 1862
Frankfort, Ross County, Ohio
DiedJanuary 11, 1917(1917-01-11) (aged 54)
Huntington Township, Ross County, Ohio
NationalityAmerican
Other namesEmma A. Reynolds
Occupation(s)nurse, doctor
Years active1896-1917
Known forinspiring the creation of Chicago's Provident Hospital

Emma Ann Reynolds (1862-1917) was an

African-American teacher, who had a desire to address the health needs of her community. Refused entrance to nurses training schools because of racism, she influenced the creation of Provident Hospital
in Chicago and was one of its first four nursing graduates. Continuing her education, Reynolds became a medical doctor serving at posts in Texas, Louisiana and Washington, D.C. before permanently settling in Ohio and completing her practice there.

Early life

Emma Ann Reynolds was born on August 3, 1862, in Frankfort, Ross County, Ohio, to Sarah (née Jones) and William Reynolds.[1][2] After completing her education at Wilberforce University she moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where four of her brothers lived and taught school for seven years. During her teaching, she recognized the health needs of the African-American community,[3] and attempted to enroll in nursing school in Chicago. She was repeatedly refused entrance because she was black.[4] Seeking help from her brother, Rev. Louis H. Reynolds, pastor of St. Stephens African Methodist Episcopal Church on the west side of Chicago, the two approached well-known Dr. Daniel Hale Williams in December 1890.[2][5] Williams had previously recognized the need for both trained nursing staff and hospital beds for negro patients, as well as employment opportunities for interns, physicians and surgeons. Reynolds' need, spurred a decision that rather than use his influence to help her gain entrance to a white nurses' training facility, he should instead convince the black community to found their own hospital.[6] In May 1891, the Provident Hospital was opened, with the goal of allowing interracial staff and patients, as well of establishing a training facility for nurses of any race.[7][8]

Reynolds enrolled in the first nursing class, completing her training eighteen months later, and graduated on 27 October 1892 along with Bertha I. Estes, Florence Phillips and Lillian E. Reynolds.

club member, serving as one of the officers of the state colored Temperance Union[16] and Afro-American Woman's Club of New Orleans. She founded and organized the Visiting Nurses Association under the women's club umbrella to furnish free nursing to the poor.[17]

On 23 July 1900, Reynolds took up what initially was to be a temporary three-month position, as the head nurse at

dietetics,[20] but the following year, returned to Ohio to care for her ailing parents.[4] She established a practice in Sulphur Lick, Ohio, practicing there until her death.[11]

Death and legacy

Reynolds died of heart disease on January 11, 1917, in

U.S. House of Representatives.[4]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b Ohio Deaths 1917, p. 464.
  2. ^ a b c d The Provident Foundation 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Royster 2003, p. 95.
  4. ^ a b c d U. S. House of Representatives 2001, p. 4438.
  5. ^ Buckler 1968, p. 66.
  6. ^ Buckler 1968, pp. 67–68.
  7. ^ Buckler 1968, p. 71.
  8. ^ The Chicago Tribune 1891, p. 3.
  9. ^ The Chicago Daily Tribune 1892, p. 6.
  10. ^ Majors 1893, p. 348.
  11. ^ a b Sims 2016.
  12. ^ Cutler 1896, p. 118.
  13. ^ The Bystander 1898, p. 4.
  14. ^ The Times-Picayune & August 13, 1899, p. 8.
  15. ^ The Times-Picayune 1900, p. 12.
  16. ^ The Times-Picayune & May 12, 1899, p. 3.
  17. ^ Reynolds 1901, pp. 22–23.
  18. ^ The Colored American 1900, p. 7.
  19. ^ The Evening Times 1900, p. 8.
  20. ^ Warfield & Fleetwood 1901, p. 112.

Bibliography

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