Scan barcode
A review by cosmicbookworm
The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis by Maria Smilios
4.5
"The Black Angels" is a thoroughly researched book that covers a lot of ground. It explores two important storylines, which might have been split into separate volumes, but they are interconnected and need to be told together. These storylines shed light on the intersection of racial discrimination and medical dangers during a time when both were widespread. It is a must-read for high school students and anyone committed to reading until you understand.
Author Maria Smilios, a former science editor, uncovers a nearly lost part of American history. She sheds light on the crucial role played by courageous Black nurses in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) at Sea View Hospital on Staten Island. Sea View was a hospital for TB patients that faced a staffing crisis when white nurses left due to dangerous conditions. In response, hospital administrators recruited Black nurses from the South, enticing them with promises of employment and training opportunities, which seemed more promising than the Jim Crow laws where they lived. While racism looked different in the north it was still rampant and affected their daily lives in significant ways. Despite being subjected to underpayment, prejudice, and harsh working conditions, these women demonstrated incredible dedication, compassion, and resilience. Their contributions were instrumental in testing groundbreaking drug treatments that led to the development of Isoniazid.
Overall, "The Black Angels" is a moving tribute to the Black nurses who braved both a deadly disease and the deeply embedded racism of their time. Their story is one of courage, commitment, and an enduring fight for recognition and respect in a world that often denied them both.
I read this book to be able to participate in an online discussion with "Uniting Through History." I am thankful for the opportunity, and I highly recommend this book.
Author Maria Smilios, a former science editor, uncovers a nearly lost part of American history. She sheds light on the crucial role played by courageous Black nurses in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) at Sea View Hospital on Staten Island. Sea View was a hospital for TB patients that faced a staffing crisis when white nurses left due to dangerous conditions. In response, hospital administrators recruited Black nurses from the South, enticing them with promises of employment and training opportunities, which seemed more promising than the Jim Crow laws where they lived. While racism looked different in the north it was still rampant and affected their daily lives in significant ways. Despite being subjected to underpayment, prejudice, and harsh working conditions, these women demonstrated incredible dedication, compassion, and resilience. Their contributions were instrumental in testing groundbreaking drug treatments that led to the development of Isoniazid.
Overall, "The Black Angels" is a moving tribute to the Black nurses who braved both a deadly disease and the deeply embedded racism of their time. Their story is one of courage, commitment, and an enduring fight for recognition and respect in a world that often denied them both.
I read this book to be able to participate in an online discussion with "Uniting Through History." I am thankful for the opportunity, and I highly recommend this book.