Swimming Point in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Portsmouth Naval Hospital
“Navy Nurse Corps 1908”
— Fort Nelson Park —
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2015
1. Portsmouth Naval Hospital Marker
Inscription.
Portsmouth Naval Hospital. “Navy Nurse Corps 1908”. The Navy Nurse Corps was created by Congress in 1908, allowing women to perform duties that previously had been done by men. They held no rank and were titled “Nurse.” The first 20 to graduate were known as the “Sacred Twenty,” and of them, three reported for duty at Portsmouth in April 1909. Among them was Lenah Higbee, who became Chief Nurse at Portsmouth, and later became the second Superintendent of Nurses for the U.S. Navy. In 1964, the Secretary of the Navy signed his approval to allow male nurses in the Corps.
The Navy Nurse Corps was created by Congress in 1908, allowing women to perform duties that previously had been done by men. They held no rank and were titled “Nurse.” The first 20 to graduate were known as the “Sacred Twenty,” and of them, three reported for duty at Portsmouth in April 1909. Among them was Lenah Higbee, who became Chief Nurse at Portsmouth, and later became the second Superintendent of Nurses for the U.S. Navy. In 1964, the Secretary of the Navy signed his approval to allow male nurses in the Corps.
Erected by Path of History, Portsmouth, Va.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1909.
Location. 36° 50.475′ N, 76° 18.309′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Swimming Point. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Effingham Street and Crawford Parkway, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Portsmouth Naval Hospital
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 337 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
