- superintendent of Nurses for the Hospital and Training School of Nurses for 32 years
- gave African Americans access to health care
Anna DeCosta Banks was a nurse in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1891, she graduated from Virginia’s Hampton Institute (later known as Hampton University). Afterwards she enrolled in Hapton’s Dixie Hospital of Nursing, in which she was one of the school’s first graduates. Although there is not much detail about her early life, she went on to accomplish amazing feats.
Banks served as the first head nurse of the Hospital and Training School for Nurses in Charleston. Banks rose to the position of Superintendent of Nurses, and she held that position for 32 years. This hospital was one of the only places that provided care for African American patients. No patient was ever denied admission because of their race.
Anna DeCosta Banks was well known for her inspiring nursing career. She focused on giving African Americans access to health care, and had a successful nursing career despite the segregation in the United States at the time. The training school and hospital she worked at was renamed after her, and became the McClennan-Banks Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, the hospital closed in 1977. Regardless of the closing of the hospital, we will continue to recognize her kindness and treasure the legacy she left behind.
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