Real Nurse Heroes: Susie King Taylor:First Black Army Nurse

Long before civil rights laws were written, and decades before Black nurses were widely accepted in professional healthcare roles, Susie King Taylor broke barriers with quiet strength and undeniable skill. Born into slavery in 1848, she would go on to become the first African American Army nurse in the United States, not just caring for the wounded but educating freed slaves and documenting a war few dared to write about.

This Nurses Week, we honor her not just as a nurse but as a teacher, advocate, and pioneer whose story still inspires nurses across the country, particularly those working toward LPN continuing education, diversity in healthcare, and educational outreach in underserved communities.

From Slavery to Service

Born in Georgia, Susie was secretly taught to read and write, a crime at the time for enslaved people. That education would become the backbone of her legacy.

At the age of just 14, she joined the Union Army as part of the 1st South Carolina Volunteers, an all-Black regiment. There, she served as a nurse, teacher, and laundress, all without formal military pay.

She provided direct care to injured and sick soldiers during the Civil War, using herbal remedies, basic surgical support, and improvised supplies. Her clinical work wasn’t recognized by the U.S. government until much later, but her impact was immediate and immense.

A Voice for Education and Empowerment

Taylor wasn’t just a nurse. She also ran schools for freed slaves, teaching adults and children how to read and write during and after the war. She believed that education and nursing were twin pillars of empowerment, a principle that lives on today through CEU programs including LPN CEU training.

Her 1902 memoir, Reminiscences of My Life in Camp, is the only known Civil War account written by a Black woman who served on the front lines. It’s both a historical treasure and a human portrait of war, courage, and service.

A Nurse Hero Ahead of Her Time

Susie King Taylor’s contributions were revolutionary, particularly considering:

• She served in a segregated army during wartime
• She had no official military rank or compensation
• She combined clinical work with literacy advocacy
• She challenged racism, sexism, and poverty through care

Her work parallels what many nurses face today: long hours, limited resources, and the need to serve under pressure, all while navigating systems that don’t always see or support them.

Her Relevance Today

In 2025, Taylor’s story echoes in the work of nurses who:

• Serve in rural and underserved communities
• Mentor students of color entering nursing school
• Advocate for equity in Georgia nursing continuing education
• Teach in prisons, shelters, or low-income districts

Key Takeaways

• Susie King Taylor was the first Black nurse in the U.S. Army
• She provided care during the Civil War and ran literacy schools
• She authored a memoir that still educates and inspires
• Her story reflects the need for advocacy in nursing CEU and beyond
• Modern nurses honor her through continuing education and outreach