When the Civil War broke out, Emily Elizabeth Parsons (b. 8 March 1824, d. 19 May 1880) wanted nothing more than to enlist in the army as a nurse, despite the physical obstacles of her being deaf, partially blind, and disabled. He father, a professor of law at Harvard, was taken aback by her request believing that he had given her all “the opportunities which offer themselves to unmarried women.” He reluctantly agreed and at the age of 37 Parsons enrolled in nursing school at Massachusetts General Hospital – the beginning of a long career “relieving the suffering of any whom she could reach” both on the battle field and in Cambridge.
Location: The Cambridge Room Case, Second Floor, Research, outside the Cambridge Room.
Date: October 28, 2011 to December 6, 2011
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