This is the third, and final post, concerning Alice Bird, a 20th Century nurse, midwife and tutor who worked in Sussex and London during World War Two, and was a tutor at Leeds General Infirmary before studying at Teachers College, New York.

After nearly ten years teaching the Preliminary Training Course for Leeds General Infirmary, Alice had also completed the University of London Diploma in Nursing, one of only two of its kind in England.

Alice wanted more, so she applied for and won a Red Cross Scholarship, to study full time for one year on the internationally renowned, unique, graduate-level education course at Teachers College in New York, a rare opportunity for an English nurse tutor.

Alice left England by boat on 27 August 27 1954 arriving in New York on 4 September. She stayed at International House, in midtown Manhattan, overlooking the Hudson River, with 500 students from over 60 countries: ‘Colour race and creed seemed to be insignificant factors. Students made friends from all corners of the world.’ 

There followed an intense year of taught modules including English, Education studies and Nursing. In addition, there were numerous visits to hospitals and nursing schools in the area. Alice was introduced to concepts new to Nursing Education in England. For example, more progressive adult education theory, learner nurses being students rather than apprentices, and the beginnings of the American nursing theorists’ concept of holistic nursing care. She read widely and engaged in international debate about nursing issues.

Sadly, her father’s deteriorating health meant that Alice returned to England without the opportunity to complete the end of year summer school at Teachers. Had she done so, she would have returned with a BSc in Nursing, a qualification unavailable at that time in the UK. Alice did however have enough time to travel 7,000 miles by bus with a fellow international student, crossing North America. She sailed for England from Montreal on 4 July, arriving on the 10 July 1955.

Armed with new confidence and vigour, she applied for the senior education post of Principal Tutor, at St James Hospital in Leeds, where she remained until her retirement in 1973. Here she commissioned the new purpose-built nursing school, which was equipped to the highest standard, including modern audio-visual and teaching equipment. She was also involved in setting up the first nursing Degree in the city, in conjunction with the local Technical College (later to become the Polytechnic). This was highly commended by the GNC, who saw it as a truly nursing degree, rather than social science. 

I met Alice in her old age, still sprightly with a sharp mind. Proud of, but modest about her achievements.