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Grace E. Davidson Papers and Memorabilia

Grace Davidson (1920-2001) was a graduate of Butler University in Indiana, the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, and Teachers College, Columbia University. She served in the Army Nurse Corps in WWII, and eventually retired from the Army Reserves with the rank of Major. She was a faculty member at Skidmore College, and later served as the Chief Nursing Officer at the NYU Medical Center in New York. Her collection includes Army Nurse Corps and student nurse uniforms, a scrapbook from WWII, some clippings and publication from the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, and miscellaneous papers accumulated through her time at Columbia Presbyterian and Teachers College. There is also an oral history interview with her on tape.

 

Finding Aid for the Grace E. Davidson Papers and Memorabilia, 1911-2000   (MC25)

Compiled by Maria Kessler January, 2005

 

VOLUME: 3 cubic feet
ACQUISITION: The items in this collection were donated to the Bellevue Alumnae Center for Nursing History, Foundation of the New York State Nurses Association in two separate accessions.
  1. Donated by Grace Davidson on 10 October 2001. Accession #A2001.12:
    • Columbia-Presbyterian School of Nursing materials
    • NYU related materials
    • Uniforms
    • Medals
    • Books
  2. Donated by Pat Valoon on 25 November 2002. Accession # A2002-44:
    • Materials written by Grace Davidson
    • Information about Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing and NEAA
    • Correspondence about her career
ACCESS: This collection is open to the public by appointment.
COPYRIGHT: Please consult the repository for information about duplication or publishing of any materials from this collection.
PREFERRED
CITATION:		 Grace E. Davidson Papers and Memorabilia, 1911-2000 (MC25), Bellevue Alumnae Center for Nursing History, Foundation of New York State Nurses, Guilderland, NY

Table of Contents

Biographical Sketch

Grace Davidson (1920-2001) was born in Wabash, Indiana, the youngest of seven children. She was a graduate of Butler University in Indiana, the Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, and Teachers College, Columbia University. Grace was a leader in student affairs at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.

Grace began her nursing practice career at Mary Harness Convalescent Home. During WWII, she was commissioned at 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Corps, serving as a staff nurse and then charge nurse of the 158th General Hospital in Salisbury, England.

Following the War, Grace attended the University of Minnesota where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1948. Returning to New York, she accepted a faculty appointment at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.

When the Korean conflict erupted, Grace returned to the Army Nurse Corps and was stationed in France. She continued in the active Army Reserve, retiring in 1967 with the rank of Major.

After the Korean conflict, she attended Teachers College and earned a Master of Arts degree in 1954. Among her influences were her mentors, Frances Reiter and Lydia Hall.

Grace joined the faculty of the Department of Nursing at Skidmore College. While at Skidmore, she returned to Teachers College for post masters study in Educational Administration in Nursing.

In 1966, Grace became the Assistant Administrator and Director of Nursing at University Hospital, New York University Medical Center. She retired in 1979.

Due to her accomplishments in restructuring the role of nurses and improving the quality of care nurses provide, Grace was honored with the following awards:

  • Alumni Federation Medal from Columbia University
  • Excellence and Leadership in Nursing – 11 May 1983

Grace Davidson died on 14 September 2001.

Biographical information has been taken from her curriculum vitae and the presentation of the NEAA Award.

Scope and Contents Notes

This collection includes Army Nurse Corps and student nurse uniforms, a scrapbook from WWII, some clippings and publications from the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, and miscellaneous papers accumulated through her time at Columbia Presbyterian and Teachers College. There is also an oral history interview with her on tape.

Books originally included in this collection are now located in the library. Consult the archivist for separate list for titles.

Series Descriptions

Series 1: Business Records, 1911-1979
0.5 cubic feetIncluded in these records are items from Bulkley Training School and New York Post Graduate Medical School and Hospital. Records on three students (Catherine Constantine, May Jennings, and Regina McCormack) are also included. Documentation on the reorganization of the NYU Medical Center Department of Nursing is also heavily present.
Series 2: Writings/Speeches, 1960s-1980s
0.5 cubic feetWritten publications and speeches are included in this series. In addition, reference sources in supporting these works are present.
Series 3: Personal Papers, 1960s-1997
0.5 cubic feetPersonal correspondence, curriculum vitae, and awards received are included in this series. Also present is documentation on awards to colleagues. Biographical material on Anne C. Maxwell RN is included.
Series 4: Alumni Associations, 1941-2000
0.5 cubic feetThis series includes meeting minutes, bylaws, membership lists, and miscellaneous correspondence. Also includes some issues of various alumni magazines and miscellaneous publications.
Series 5: Artifacts. undated
1.0 cubic feetThis series includes clothing, commemorative plate, framed poster, and framed drawing.

Box and Folder List

Series 1: Business Records, 1911-1979

Box 1
Folder:

  1. Bulkley Training School, 1911-1924
  2. New York Post-Graduate Medical School, 1923-1935
  3. Constantine, Catherine, 1931-1934 (NY Post-Graduate student)
  4. Jennings, Mae, 1921-1924 (NY Post-Graduate student)
  5. McCormack, Regina, 1921-1929 (NY Post-Graduate student)
  6. NYU Medical Center Correspondence, 1977-1979
  7. NYU Medical Center Dept. of Nursing Reorganization Plan, 1972
  8. NYU Medical Center Dept. of Nursing Organization Plan, 1977-1979
  9. NYU Medical Center Dept. of Nursing Cooperative Care Program, 1964-1978
  10. NYU Medical Center Dept. of Nursing Leadership Meeting, 1979

Series 2: Writings/Speeches, 1960s-1980s

Box 1
Folder:

  1. Writings and Speeches (1 of 2), 1960’s-1970’s
Box 2
Folder:

  1. Writings and Speeches (2 of 2), 1970’s-1980’s
  2. Speech References (1 of 3), 1960’s-1980’s
  3. Speech References (2 of 3), 1960’s-1980’s
  4. Speech References (3 of 3), 1960’s-1980’s

Series 3: Personal Papers, 1960s-1997

Box 2
Folder:

  1. CV and Awards, 1970’s-1980’s
  2. Awards to Colleagues and Other Events, 1960’s-1980’s
  3. Anne C. Maxwell RN History, undated
Box 3
Folder:

  1. Personal Correspondence, 1966-1990
  2. Military Women’s Memorial Dedication, 1997
  3. Photos, undated
  4. Scrapbook, undated
  5. B.S. Diploma, 1948

Series 4: Alumni Associations, 1941-2000

Box 3
Folder:

  1. Columbia-Presbyterian School of Nursing Alumni Association (1 of 2), 1992-1997
  2. Columbia-Presbyterian School of Nursing Alumni Association (2 of 2), 1992-1997
Box 4
Folder:

  1. Columbia-Presbyterian School of Nursing Alumni Association Memorabilia, 1942-1987
  2. Columbia-Presbyterian School of Nursing Class Lists 1901-1911
  3. Alumni Federation of Columbia University, 1996
  4. NY Post-Graduate School for Nurses Alumni Bylaws, 1959
  5. Society for Nursing History Membership List and Bylaws, 1984-1985
  6. Columbia University School of Nursing Alumni Scholarship Fund, 1989
  7. “The Quarterly Magazine,” 1937, 1942
  8. “The Alumnae Magazine,” 1964-1966
  9. “The Alumni Magazine,” 1991-1998

Series 5: Artifacts. undated

Box 5
Folder:

  1. WWII uniform skirt, undated
  2. WWII uniform jacket, undated
  3. WWII uniform wool hat, undated
  4. WWII uniform summer cap, undated
  5. WWII uniform beret, undated
  6. Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center commemorative plate, undated
  7. Columbia University Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing drawing (mounted and framed), undated
  8. VA “Support Our Women Veterans!” poster (framed), undated
Revisions:
Maria Kessler January, 2005
Gertrude Hutchinson November 14, 2007
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© 2001-2006 Foundation of the New York State Nurses Association, Inc.
© 2006-2017 Foundation of New York State Nurses, Inc.

 

Index code: MC25

Finding Guide:

Guide to Archival Records