First Black nurse in Army Nurse Corps honored, anniversary celebrated

First Black nurse in Army Nurse Corps honored, anniversary celebrated

A cake was cut at Tuskegee University in honor of the U.S. Army Nurses Corps’ 112th birthday.

Submitted by Tuskegee University

    TUSKEGEE, AL – Army ROTC and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health helped to celebrate the achievements of one of Black American history’s pioneering professionals, Della H. Rainey, Feb. 1 in Basil O’Connor Hall.              

    During WWII, Rainey became the first Black nurse commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States’ Army Nurse Corps and the first nurse to become part of the Tuskegee Airmen.

    Lt. Col. Patricia A. Coburn, deputy chief nurse for U. S. Army Cadet Command, served as the guest speaker for the event.

    After a presentation, a cake was cut to honor the birthday of the U.S. Army Nurses Corps. Feb. 2 marked 112 years that this service branch has been in existence.