|
|
|
|
Recognizing another “H-Block” notable
I read with interest the article “The Original H-Block” (Feb. 15, 2007), and I did not want my great aunt, the sister of my maternal grandfather, to go unmentioned. Her name was Francis Harris and she is believed to be the first black nurse to graduate from Boston City Hospital.
Aunt Francis was initially denied admission to the school, but she and another black women who stands next to her in a graduation picture both graduated with honors. There was one caveat, though — the hospital would not hire her. She spent years as a private duty nurse until she was finally able to work at the hospital many years later.
The Harris family came from North Carolina sometime during the early 1900s. Francis, her siblings and my great grandparents lived on Harrishof Street for many years until Aunt Francis bought her brownstone on Townsend Street directly across from the park.
The whole family lived there on three separate floors: Aunt Francis, her brothers Nicholas, Norman, Ralph and Edward, her sister Lula and her husband George. My grandfather was William who died in the early 1950s. All are gone, except for George.
My cousins and I remember each room of the house with its dark wood, wainscotting, and clubfoot bathtub. Most of all, we remember the finished basement, which was renovated to a nightclub decor. All of the Harrises were jazz and music aficionados. I especially remember the sculptured busts of two of our uncles that sat on the grand piano.
Back then, the area was beautiful and safe. Beautiful it may remain, but I’m not quite sure of the “safe” part.
Christine L. Caines
Via e-mail
|
|
|
|
|
|
