One of the glass plated negatives we discovered while archiving and researching is of the 1915 St. Luke’s School of Nursing’s Graduating Class. Some rather distinguished, fine looking young ladies. These women were at the forefront of a new wave sweeping our country, women in the workforce. You might want to remember, women didn’t get the right to vote in New York until two years later, in 1917!

What is interesting is that in the archives at the Newburgh Free Library (Thanks, Heather!), the list of the graduating class is for eight ladies, yet there are ten elegantly ladies attired in their nursing uniforms in the photo. I guess shoes with buckles were the fashion that year. The photo from the glass plate negative does not have the names listed so we have to guess to put the faces with the names. Could the two extra women be a couple of their instructors or professors? Or, is the archive incomplete and simply missed two names?

Perhaps some of our readers will recognize their ancestor and shout out so we’ll be able to put names to the faces and give these outstanding individuals their just due.

The Newburgh St. Luke’s School of Nursing began in 1893, though the commitment and dedication in our community to this profession dates much further back. In the early days of the school, the classes were small, with three to a dozen students graduating each year. Back then, many schools had their own unique design for their nursing caps. I do not know if our St. Luke’s School of Nursing adapted this trend, following many of the larger schools, but if you’re digging through an old trunk of your great grandmother and find one, you may want to check it out, or send us a photograph.

Considering the year this photo was taken, one or more of these nurses may have enlisted to serve and care for our troops during World War I, after graduating. Did any of them join the Red Cross? Imagine how both dangerous and exciting it would have been for them! This photo really generates many questions about these independent young women and the adventures they were about to embark on with their chosen profession. Looking at their young faces, you can see the compassion and enthusiasm in their eyes. I wonder how many of our families they touched with their care.