Jane E. Mitchell

Jane Evelyn Watson Mitchell (1921 - November 13, 2004) was an American nurse. Mitchell was the first African-American to work as a nurse in Delaware. Mitchell went on to work as the director of nursing at the Delaware State Psychiatric Hospital. Mitchell was also a civil rights activist and volunteer.

Biography

Mitchell was born in 1921 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania and grew up in Wilmington, Delaware.[1][2] Mitchell graduated from the all-black Howard High School school of nursing training at Provident Hospital in 1944.[1][3] Mitchell wanted to come back to Delaware to work, but couldn't find employment.[1] She was told by hospitals in the state that they did not hire African-American nurses.[4] Instead, she worked at a Jewish hospital in Philadelphia.[5]

In 1949, Dr. Mesrop A. Tarumianz who was looking for nurses with a background in psychology, hired Mitchell to come work for him at the Governor Bacon Health Center.[1][4] Mitchell was the first African-American nurse to work in a Delaware hospital.[3] She was also the first black nurse to work with patients of all races in a state hospital.[6] After working at Bacon Health Center, she was transferred to the Delaware State Psychiatric Hospital in 1963.[1][5] Mitchell earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware in 1963 and eventually received a master's degree from Washington College.[3][2] In 1969, she was appointed as director of nursing for the hospital.[5] Mitchell retired from the Psychiatric Hospital in 1979.[7] She continued to work as a volunteer for the Delaware State Board of Nursing after her retirement.[4]

A new addition to the Psychiatric Hospital was added in 1998 and named "the Jane Mitchell building."[6] In March 2000, Mitchell was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women.[1] During her life, Mitchell also worked with her husband, Littleton P. Mitchell, as a civil rights activist.[6] She was involved with sit-ins and protests.[6] Littleton was a long-time leader of the NAACP in Delaware.[8] The couple were married in 1943 and had one child Philip, together.[2] Mitchell died in her home in Delaware City on November 13, 2004.[8] Senator Joe Biden gave her eulogy at the funeral.[8] The Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage in Delaware is named for both Mitchell and her husband.[9]

References
  1. Frank, Bill (2000-05-07). "Why So Few?". The News Journal. p. 32. Retrieved 2020-05-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage". Delaware Historical Society. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  3. "In Memoriam Jane E. Mitchell". University of Delaware Archive. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  4. Frank, Bill (1987-01-13). "Jane Mitchell, Notable Black Pioneer in Delaware". The Morning News. p. 7. Retrieved 2020-05-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Frank, Bill (1979-09-16). "A Fruitful Career Draws to a Close". The Morning News. p. 97. Retrieved 2020-05-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Jane Watson Mitchell Made Nursing Career a Vehicle for Justice". The News Journal. 1998-12-15. p. 22. Retrieved 2020-05-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Nurse Named 'Hero'". The News Journal. 2000-05-07. p. 32. Retrieved 2020-05-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Brown, Robin (2004-11-18). "Final Respects to Jane Mitchell". The News Journal. p. 1. Retrieved 2020-05-20 – via Newspapers.com. and "Mitchell: 'She Was a Gift Beyond Compare'". The News Journal. 2004-11-18. p. 5. Retrieved 2020-05-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Center for African American Heritage". Delaware Historical Society. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
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