The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-27
VIRGINIA HOSPITAL
AWARDS THREE DIPLOMAS
First Graduation EAercines OF Munich
pnl Training School for
Nurses Arc Held.
DIR. S. c. ,hrcHELL MAKES ADDRESS
Diplomas Arc Delivered to Nurses by
DIR. George Hen Johnston-Dr. Call
Presents Hospital Pins.

Graduating nurses OF the Nirgini,
Hospital were presented :heir diplomas
at the commencement exercises he'd
last night in the auditorium OF the
John Marshall High School before n
large gathering OF city officials and
citizens. Mayor George Ainslc pre-
sided over the exercises at which were
graduated the first nurses 10 be present
ed diplomas from strictly municipal
hospital in Richmond.
The occasion was ono Of moment. for.
In The opinion Of every speaker VINO
addressed the meeting. IL marks the
beginning Of city activities for the
hcttcrmcnt Of citizens at large, ANA
gives prospects for excellent work in
the future Not only did Dr. = {.
Mitchell. who delivered the address, TO
the graduates, and br. George Ben
Johnston, who presented them with
their diplomas. praise the nurses for
their work under many difficulties. but
they were generous IN their approval
OF the things accomplished by Miss :.
y. Cummings. the hospital superintcn-
dent. and each prcdi ted that the re
suits OF their efforts would lie felt
through many years 70 come
Mayor Ainslic WAS correct in saying
that this is ono of the most important
cNtUlS III tlic recent history OF 1S..n
mOnd." said DIR. Mitchell, in opening
his speech Il am glad 10 he able to
congratulate tho city on the posses
sion OF such an institution as the Nir-
pInia Hospital and the citizens on hav-
ing such angels OF mercy as you to
care FOR their welfare. There is no
career open TO women which Is nob!cr
than that of the trained nurse and il
is a distinct pleasure to INC to he able
TO see you presented with your diplo-
:nas-the seal OF approval which is
placed on your work by the Virginia
Hospital"
BuT THE FIRST STEP
IN WOuK FOt CITIZENS
Or. Mitchell said that the taking
over OF the infringement OF the hos.
pital by the city WAS but the first step,
and that tho time would soon come
when this city would have a hosuital
which would compare favorably with
those of other cities. and In which
might be trained nurses for work
throughout the city and the entire
South. lie said that the city should
not regard the maintenance OF the city
hospital as an expense, but rs an in
Ncstincnt, and went on to show that
In The work done. especially for chill
dreh, the city would reap the benefits
lie said that In the best homes OF
Richmond one child in every tyentv
those OF humber position the ratio is
seven IN twenty.
KS i,f. Alderman so aptiy termed
II, SAID the speaker. the measure OF
Il civilization Is obtained by the inter
est shown in the welfare Of tho chit
aren' Tor the general line of progress
Is constructive craftsmanship. At the
Virginia they are given the best of
treatment, and so also arc the older
cltiHcns. The hospital takes from the
shoulders OF the wife or children tho
burden Of caring for the unfortunasc
husband or father who is injured while
at his daily work.
You young ladies arc serving your
country just as truly as are those who
are planting the flag on the ramparts
of Vera Cruz. | commend the new idea
of broader work on the city's part
and commend you. as graduates of tne
Virginia Hospital, to those whom YOU
viii serve"
DIR. GEORGE HEN JOHNSTON
DELIVERS DIPLOMAS
lpr. johnston, in delivering the di-
plomas. said that he felt distinctly hon
orcd IN being called upon to deliver
the certificates to the first graduates
of the hospital. He said that mucn
credit was due them and also MISS
Cummings. from whom they had Sc
cured the inspiration, which enabled
them so faithfully to perform Their
duties. DR.. Johnston praised the force
OF character and the determination 20
overcome obstacles manifested by the
graduates. Spontaneous applause broke
forth over the audience when the
nurses were presented their diplomas.
The Florence Nightingale oath was
administered by DR.. J. Garnett Nelson.
DIR. Manfred Call presented the
graduates with the hospital pins, hand
some enblems of gold, telling where
their training was obtained and stand
ing for all that the hospital holds
sacred.
Owing to the illness OF Wyndham r.
Meredith he was unable to speak. Tho
floral presentations were made hy the
young doctors who acted as ushers,
and the bcncdiction, as we'll as tho
opening prayer, WAS offered by Rcv.
j. Calvin tScwart. d. D.. of the Church
Of the Covenant.
The graduates were: Misses Annie
Lee Woodruff. Elizabeth Wells Win
brone and Katherine Pcdigo