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Margeurite B. Harris Papers

The Marguerite Harris Papers include personal and professional papers created and collected by Marguerite Harris throughout her career as a public health nurse. As well as paper records, this collection includes some photographs, uniforms, framed material and other artifacts. Of particular interest are two scrapbooks created by American Red Cross home nursing classes, Harris’ personal correspondence and material from Harris’ time in Puerto Rico.

The collection is divided into five series: Series 1, Rockland County; Series 2, Dominican College; Series 3, Personal Papers; Series 4, Clippings; Series 5, Books. It also includes some artifacts and over-sized material.

 

 

Index code: MC10

Finding Guide:

Finding Aid for the Marguerite B. Harris Papers and Memorabilia, 1932-1992   (MC10)

Compiled by Rachel Donaldson November, 2005

 

VOLUME: 10.4 cubic feet
ACQUISITION: Donated by Joan Loman on October 11, 1989 (A1989-27) and Marguerite Harris on April 1, 1993 (A1993-6).
ACCESS: Access to personnel and patient records are restricted. Access to the rest of this records group is open to the public, by appointment.
COPYRIGHT: Please consult the repository for information about duplication or publishing of any materials from this collection.
PREFERRED
CITATION:		 Marguerite B. Harris Papers and Memorabilia, 1932-1992 (MC10), Bellevue Alumnae Center for Nursing History, Foundation of New York State Nurses, Guilderland, NY

Table of Contents

Biographical Sketch

By Maria KesslerMarguerite Harris graduated from the Lincoln Hospital School of Nursing in 1925. She studied public health nursing at Columbia University, and was later the first African-American to receive a federal scholarship to Seton Hall, where she received her baccalaureate degree in nursing.

In 1953, Ms. Harris joined the Rockland County Public Health Nursing Service, and in 1973 she was named director of the Family Center for the Spanish-speaking population of Haverstraw. Grant funding for this program was depleted within four months, after which Ms. Harris used her salary and personal funds to keep the program operational. She became indispensable and well-loved member of the community.

Marguerite Harris was founder of the Pioneer Club for public health nurses in Rockland County. She was the recipient of many awards and honors, including the Mary Mahoney award and the Distinguished Service Award of the County of Rockland. In 1982, she received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Dominican College, where she taught in the nursing program throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Scope and Contents Notes

The Marguerite Harris Papers include personal and professional papers created and collected by Marguerite Harris throughout her career as a public health nurse. As well as paper records, this collection includes some photographs, uniforms, framed material and other artifacts. Of particular interest are two scrapbooks created by American Red Cross home nursing classes, Harris’ personal correspondence and material from Harris’ time in Puerto Rico.

The collection is divided into five series: Series 1, Rockland Count; Series 2, Dominican College; Series 3, Personal Papers; Series 4, Clippings; Series 5, Books. It also includes some artifacts and oversized material.

Series Descriptions

Series 1: Rockland County, 1953-1991
Most of Marguerite Harris’s professional career was spent working for a variety of organizations in Rockland County. These files were heavily commingled and many of these positions were held simultaneously, so a series devoted to her Rockland County activities was created. As a Rockland County Public Health nurse, Harris’s work included working with the Rockland County Family Center, the Health Department, the North Rockland Health Center, the Rockland County Action Center, Rockland County Community College and other institutions. These files contain both professional and personal papers including correspondence, news clippings, job descriptions, and workshop materials. Harris had a strong interest in the history of Rockland County and this interest is reflected in her collection of clippings and writings related to local history, particularly Shanks Village. Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Series 2: Dominican College, 1944-1991
Papers from Harris’ tenure teaching in Dominican College’s Nursing Program throughout the 1970s and 1980s, as well as historical material related to the College. Papers include memorabilia from college events, news clippings relating to the school, correspondence, lesson plans and lecture notes, nursing program records and college publications. Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Series 3: Personal Papers, 1932-1990
A medley of personal papers from throughout Harris’ adult life including autobiographical material, awards and honors received, correspondence and papers of the many professional associations she was involved in. Includes papers on the wide variety of activities Harris was involved in, ranging from work on the Bicentennial Quilt to work with the Girl Scouts. Highlights of the series include Harris’ diplomas and her Lincoln Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association papers. Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Series 4: Clippings, 1964-1992
A large number of clippings, primarily from newspapers, on subjects of interest to Harris. Most of the subject files were arranged by Harris, but some loose clippings have been added to previously existing or new subject files. Subject files include aging, black history, nurses and nursing and women and women’s issues. Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Series 5: Books
A small sampling from Harris’s personal book collection. Included are textbooks, history and subjects of personal interest to Harris.
Series 6: Artifacts
This collection includes one box of artifacts and one box of textiles. The artifact box includes framed awards and certificates, a sculpture and a public health nurse’s bag. The textile box includes many of Harris’ public health nurse uniforms.

Box and Folder List

Series 1: Professional Activities

Box 1
Folder:

  1. Damisela Spanish Girls Club and Roberto Clemente Social Club, 1972-1974
  2. Doerzaph, Vi, 1976
  3. Family Center clippings, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1963-1965, 1967-1980
  4. Family Center clippings, 1980-1992
  5. Family Center job descriptions, c. 1976
  6. Family Center memorandum, 1975
  7. Family Center notes, c. 1962-1983
  8. Family Center pre-natal family planning and infant care, 1970-1976
  9. Haverstraw clippings, 1962, 1964-1966, 1968-1970, 1972-1975, 1977-1982
  10. Haverstraw clippings, 1983-1992
  11. Haverstraw Community Family Restoration, 1979, 1983, 1984
  12. Haverstraw Ecumenical Project, 1963, 1964, 1968-1970, 1974, 1975
  13. Health Department, 1957-1991 (1 of 2)
  14. Health Department, 1957-1991 (2 of 2)
  15. Health Department- Local Unit development, 1953, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1973
  16. Health Department- memoranda regarding the “Nursing Project,” 1956, 1961, 1963,1964, 1966
  17. Health Department- nursing staff lists, 1967-1970 [RESTRICTED ACCESS]
  18. Health Department- public health, 1957-1990 (1 of 2)
  19. Health Department- public health, 1957-1990 (2 of 2)
  20. Health News, 1970, 1971
  21. Hillcrest Nursing Home, 1969
  22. History clippings, 1964-1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1978-1980, 1983, 1987, 1989,undated
  23. History, 1985-1990
  24. Mailing lists, c. 1972-1985
  25. Miscellaneous clippings, 1957, 1960, 1969, 1973, 1982-1989
  26. Miscellaneous clippings, 1990-1992
  27. “Negro Profile in Rockland County,” clippings, 1983, 1985, 1990
  28. New York Lotteries program, 1985, 1989-1992
  29. New York State Nurse 1965, 1966
  30. North Rockland Health Center clinical hours and fees, undated
  31. North Rockland Health Center clippings, 1974-1978
  32. North Rockland Health Center correspondence, 1975-1977
  33. North Rockland Health Center patient records, 1975-1977 [RESTRICTED ACCESS]
  34. Nursing Services guidelines and instructions, undated
  35. Pioneer Nurses of Rockland County, 1983
  36. Pioneer Public Health Nurses or Rockland County, 1982-1983
  37. Public Health Council Golden Jubilee, 1963
  38. Public Health Service for Rockland County, 1948
Box 2
Folder:

  1. Reference materials, c. 1960-1979 (1 of 2)
  2. Reference materials, c. 1960-1970 (2 of 2)
  3. Relief for Nicaragua, 1972
  4. Rockland Consumer Legal Plan, 1984
  5. Rockland County Action Center (ROCAC), 1974
  6. ROCAC employee records, 1976-1977 [RESTRICTED ACCESS]
  7. ROCAC and Family Center correspondence, 1960-1969
  8. ROCAC and Family Center correspondence, 1970-1973
  9. ROCAC and Family Center correspondence, 1974-1975
  10. ROCAC and Family Center correspondence, 1976
  11. ROCAC and Family Center correspondence, 1977-1978
  12. ROCAC and Family Center correspondence, undated
  13. Rockland Coalition for a Free Choice, 1983
  14. Rockland County Community College application and catalogs, 1983-1985
  15. Rockland County Community College attendance records, undated
  16. Rockland County Community College clippings, 1985, 1989-1991
  17. Rockland County Community College correspondence, 1976
  18. Rockland County Community College Human Service Program, 1975-1987
  19. Rockland County history and data, 1970, undated
  20. Rockland Psychiatric Center, 1978, 1986
  21. Shanks Fare cookbook, 1950
  22. Shanks Village, 1955, 1973, 1982, 1985-1992
  23. Shanks Village, 1985
  24. Shanks Village clippings, 1960, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976
  25. Shanks Village clippings, 1977-1979, 1981, 1983-1986, 1990
  26. Social Welfare Workshop, Puerto Rico, 1963 (1 of 4)
  27. Social Welfare Workshop, Puerto Rico, 1963 (2 of 4)
  28. Social Welfare Workshop, Puerto Rico, 1963 (3 of 4)
  29. Social Welfare Workshop, Puerto Rico, 1964 (4 of 4)
  30. Spanish Health Rights Coalition Action Plan, 1974
  31. Useful Spanish for Hospital Personnel, 1964

Above Boxes 1-5

  • Tribute to Marguerite Harris: First African-American Public Health Nurse in Clarkstown (photocopies of newsclippings, awards and photographs mounted on cardboard)

Series 2: Dominican College

Box 3
Folder:

  1. 10th Anniversary Celebration, 1984
  2. 10th Anniversary Celebration photographs, 1984
  3. 15th Anniversary Celebration, 1988
  4. Clippings, 1944, 1963, 1970, 1973-1990
  5. Community Health Nursing I, 1977
  6. Community Health Nursing I lecture notes, c. 1977-1987
  7. Correspondence, 1974-1979
  8. Correspondence, 1981-1987
  9. Graduate Nursing Program faculty, 1985-1991
  10. Health Fair, 1975 (includes photographs and negatives)
  11. History, undated
Box 4
Folder:

  1. Name/address lists, undated
  2. Notes, c. 1970-1989
  3. Nursing Program, 1975-1977 (1 of 2)
  4. Nursing Program, 1975-1977 (2 of 2)
  5. Nursing Program, 1976-1984
  6. Nursing Program “Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the Cardiac Mobile Unit,” c.1975
  7. Publications, 1976-1988
  8. Publications, 1977-1986
  9. Publications, c. 1983-1984

Series 3: Personal Papers

( See also Oversize Box 1: Scrapbooks)

Box 5
Folder:

  1. American Public Health Association, 1977
  2. Autobiography, undated
  3. Awards and honors, 1953, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1982, 1985, 1987, undated ( See also Oversize Box 1, Folder 1)
  4. Awards and honors: American Public Health Association member, 1977
  5. Awards and honors: Doctor of Humanities Honorary Degree, Dominican College, 1982 (includes photograph)
  6. Awards and Honors: Sigma Theta Tau induction, 1988
  7. Bicentennial quilt, 1975, 1976
  8. Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center Department of Nursing, 1973
  9. Conferences and workshops, 1975, 1984, 1989
  10. Conferences and Workshops: Puerto Rico, 1973
  11. Correspondence, 1943, 1950-1952, 1955, 1956, 1959
  12. Correspondence, 1960, 1961, 1963-1965, 1968, 1969
  13. Correspondence, 1970-1973, 1975-1979
  14. Correspondence, 1980-1989
  15. Correspondence, 1990-1992, undated
  16. Diploma, 1986
  17. District 17, 1960, 1966, 1976, 1979-1985, 1988-1990, undated
  18. Ephemera, 1950, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1988, 1990, undated
  19. Event programs, 1966, 1981, 1982
  20. Events: Birthday celebration, 1987
  21. Events: Commencement Fest, 1982
  22. Events: Family reunion, 1988
  23. Events: James M. Jones Reception, 1988
  24. Events: Nurse Recognition Day, 1984-1987
  25. Events: Nurse Recognition Day, 1989-1992
  26. Gamma Nu, 1983, 1984, 1987-1991
  27. Gamma Nu Challenge, 1989-1990
  28. Gamma Nu induction ceremony, 1988 (includes photographs, negatives)
  29. Girl Scouts, 1933, 1949, 1950, 1965, 1981, 1985-1987, 1989
  30. Institute of Puerto Rico, 1963, 1965
  31. Legislative issues, 1958, 1970, 1979, 1980, 1984, undated
  32. Lincoln Alumnae Association, 1949, 1974, 1975, 1986, 1987, undated (includes photograph)
  33. Mary Mahoney Award nomination, 1979
  34. National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses, 1948
  35. New York Lottery, 1989
  36. Notebooks, 1962, 1982
  37. Notes, undated
  38. NYSNA (the New York State Nurses Association), 1960, 1980, undated
  39. Photographs, unidentified, c. 1990-1992 ( See also Oversize Box 1, Folder 3 )
  40. Physical Therapy Massage Procedures, c. 1988
  41. Procedures and training, undated
  42. Public health nurse credentials, 1936, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1948-1950, 1952, 1953 (Red Cross Home Defense Pin moved to Artifact Box 1)
  43. Public health nursing history notes, undated
  44. Publicity: “Pioneer Nurse in Public Health,” Seton Hall University Magazine, Fall 1991
  45. Receipts, 1970
  46. Reference material, 1958, 1962, 1965, 1971, 1979, 1984, undated
  47. Seton Hall University pamphlet, undated
  48. Sigma Theta Tau Reflections, 1988-1991
  49. Speech: “Presentation of Book,” undated
  50. The Tappan Zee Business and Professional Women’s Club, 1980, 1981, undated
  51. Visiting nurse instructions, 1936-1939, 1946, 1956
  52. Weber, Gladys, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1966-1968, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1980, 1982 (includes photograph)
  53. White, George, 1987
  54. Women’s issues, 1985
  55. Writings: “Looking at the Industrial Nursing Program from the Public Health Nursing Angle,” 1932

Series 4: Clippings

( See also Oversize Box 1, Folder 2: Newspapers, 1961, 1965, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1988, 1989, undated )

Box 6
Folder:

  1. Africa, 1984, 1986, 1989
  2. Aging, 1985-1987, 1989, 1990
  3. Ancona, George, 1976
  4. Black history, 1957-1959, 1963, 1966-1969, 1971-1973, 1975-1983, 1989-1990
  5. Brawley, Tamara, 1987-1990
  6. Children and child abuse, 1983-1985, 1988, 1990, 1991
  7. Civil Rights and race relations, 1964, 1990, undated
  8. Cultural events, 1985-1987, 1989, 1990
  9. Doctors, 1980, 1982-1986, 1988, 1989, 1991
  10. Drugs, 1988, 1991
  11. Education, 1985, 1989-1992
  12. Hayes, Helen, 1975, 1977, 1982-1988, 1990-1992
  13. Health and health care, 1964, 1965, 1979, 1981, 1985-1986, 1989-1991
  14. Hispanic Coalition, 1991
  15. Hospitals, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1988-1991
  16. Miscellaneous, 1964, 1986, 1987, 1989
  17. National, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989-1991
  18. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 1988
  19. Nurses and Nursing, 1978, 1985-1988, 1990
  20. Opinion, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991
  21. Politics, 1990-1992
  22. Poverty, 1965, 1985
  23. Pre-Natal and family planning, 1971, 1973, 1976-1978, 1980, 1982-1985, 1988,1990, 1992
  24. Puerto Rico, 1964, 1971-1973, 1977-1983, 1989, 1991
  25. Shearer, Ted, 1986
  26. Science and technology, 1985, 1989
  27. Women and women’s issues, 1970, 1986, undated

Series 5: Books

Box 7
Folder:

  1. American Red Cross. First Aid Textbook. Philadelphia: The Blakiston Company, 1945.
  2. Blamires, Harry. Cold War in Hell. London: Longmans, Green and Co, 1955.
  3. Celebrate Clarkstown 1791-1991. Clarkstown, NY: Clarkstown Bicentennial Commission, 1991.
  4. Jackson, Eugene and Antonio Rubio. Spanish Made Simple. Garden City, NY: Made Simple Books, 1955.
  5. Lee, Irving J. How to Talk with People. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1952.
  6. Los Tainos a Visual Tradition: An exhibit of modern and pre-columbian images and decorations in contemporary use. New York: El Museo del Barrio, 1982.
  7. Martin, William E. and Celia Burns Stendler. Child Development: The Process of Growing Up in Society. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1953.
  8. Public Health in Belgian Africa. Infor Congo, 1958.

Series 6: Artifacts

Artifact Box 1
Folder:

  • Doctor of Humanities medal, Dominican College, encased in glass, 1982
  • Framed items:
    • Bachelor of Science diploma, Seton Hall University, 1946
    • Certificate of Appreciation by the Rockland Lions Club, 1964
    • Invitation to Gladys G. Weber’s retirement dinner dance, 1975
    • Photograph of Harris, undated
  • Public health nurse bag, black leather
  • Red Cross Home Defense Pin
  • Ribbons, red, pink and gold satin
  • Sculpture of parents and baby, carved from wood
Textile Box 1
Folder:

  • Dark blue dress uniform, c. 1960
    • Dark blue dress with textured blouse.
  • Dark blue uniform, c. 1950
    • Includes wool cap and cotton/polyester jacket and skirt and white polyester blouse.
  • Light blue dress uniform, c. 1960
    • Light blue dress with pleated blouse.
  • Light blue uniform, c. 1950
    • Includes 2 light blue short-sleeved jackets, one with large white buttons, 1 light blue skirt, 1 white polyester blouse and 1 white cotton blouse.
  • Navy blue wool coat, c. 1950
  • Rockland County Public Health Nurse summer uniform, 1950
    • Includes light blue polyester/cotton cap, blouse and skirt and white apron.

Oversize Items

Oversize Box 1
Folder:

  1. Series 3: Personal Papers: Certificates and Awards, 1976, 1983, 1987
  2. Series 4: Clippings: Newspapers, 1961, 1965, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1988, 1989, undated
  3. Series 3: Personal Papers: Photograph, undated
  4. Scrapbooks
    • American Red Cross Home Nursing Class, c. 1948 (2 scrapbooks)
Revisions:
Rachel Donaldson November, 2005
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