Something To Do: The Professionalization of Female Staff and the Medical Dept. of the U.S. Army

Join Elaine Kessinger for a special National Nurses’ Day event

Join us at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in the Delaplaine Randall Conference Room on May 6 at 2:00PM for a special National Nurse’s Day event. Historian Elaine Kessinger will discuss the evolving roles of female nurses in the Civil War.

Today, female nurses and matrons are the frontline heroes, but that has not always been the popular perception. Elaine Kessinger will take a look at the five years that turned public opinion about female nurses around, from fussy mother and flighty debutante to warrior in the battle for health. She will bust the myths and explore the stereotypes of the Civil War nurse as she finds her professional feet.

The presentation is included with admission to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and FREE for NMCWM members.

Elaine “Wolfie” Kessinger has a life-long love of history and need to bring history alive for others. She has been researching and sharing history for over 20 years. Her interest in female staff for the Army Medical Department comes much as it did for the female staff themselves–a desire to do something at living history events.