Anna DeCosta Banks

Anna DeCosta Banks (September 2, 1869 – November 29, 1930) was an American nurse, and the first head nurse at the Hospital and Training School for Nurses in Charleston, South Carolina. Banks is known for her nursing career, as well as a later position as superintendent for 32 years at the same training school for nurses. Banks stressed the need for funding and donations at various hospitals to provide practical training for African-American nurses.

Quotes

• Our hospital work is entirely among the poor, ignorant, and superstitious class of colored people of Charleston and its counties,” consisting mostly of those “who believe in all kinds of signs and conjuration.
  • [1]
• All ages, classes, races, called her blessed.
  • [2]