Daisy E. Schley

Daisy E. Schley (1882-1956) was Burrell Memorial Hospital’s first superintendent of nursing and an instrumental figure in the opening of Burrell’s nursing school. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1883 and received her degree as a Registered Nurse in 1902 from the nurse training program at Hampton Institute’s Dixie Hospital. Schley began working at Burrell when it opened in 1915.

Nursing Career

Although she only served as Burrell’s nurse superintendent for one year, during her time at the hospital Schley was a driving force behind the establishment of the Nursing Training School at Burrell. In 1923, she returned to the hospital to work as an instructor of dietetics until 1928. Well before the establishment of Burrell’s School of Practical Nursing, Schley worked with both the Lula Williams branch YWCA and Lucy Addison High School to offer nursing classes to girls that afforded them American Red Cross certificates.

Personal Life

Schley spent her life in Gainsboro, living at 203 Gilmer Avenue with her husband William. She was an active member of the community, serving as president of both Virginia’s Sojourner Truth Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the state’s Ninth District PTA. Schley was also the chairman of the administration committee of the Lula Williams branch YWCA.

In addition to her service to the community, Schley was remembered fondly for her tall stature and her long, dark nurse’s cape. She died February 12, 1956, at the age of 73.

See Also

Sources

Annual meeting in Cambria. (1945, Nov. 24). New Journal and Guide, ProQuest.

Cox, R. (2019, March 11). Pioneering African-American nurse held wide community influence WOYM: Daisy Schley, a pioneering African-American nurse, left her mark in Roanoke. Roanoke Times.

Lula Williams YWCA marks 28th anniversary. (1951, May 19). New Journal and Guide, ProQuest.