Mildred Mason

By Mary Alice Carhart

This story originally appeared October 1, 1960 in The Ledger-Star of Norfolk, Virginia.

"My grandfather, a physician, felt nurses were 'lowly people' " said director of Virginia's first practical nursing school.

"He refused to let my mother be one. In her day, genteel ladies just didn't go in for such a profession."

Today Mildred Mason is educational director of the school of practical nursing of the Vocational Department of Norfolk City Schools and Leigh Memorial Hospital. The school is the only one of its kind in Norfolk.

A member of the Norfolk Business and Professional Women's Club, Miss Mason is typical of the thousands of members across the country who whill celebrate national Business Women's Week next week. The theme will be "Symbol of the 60s - More Women at Work."

A native of Clarkville, the nursing director received her training at Johnson-Willis Hospital in Richmond.

Following a nursing and graduate school stint at Jersey City, N.J., she came to Leigh Memorial Hospital in 1947. Her first job was as instructor of practical nursing.

Taking a sabbatical leave from 1954 to 1955, she obtained a B.S. in educational nursing from Duke University.

Next she spent three and one-half years compiling a book on nursing which was published by a leading firm and is being used by every practical nursing school in this country and abroad.

"I shall always remember the day I received my book contract," smiled the brown-haired woman.

She became the school's director after completing her textbook.

Women 17 to 50 are eligible to enroll in the one-year course. Average age is 35.

Those passing the state board examination receive a license to practice. They then work under the supervision of a licensed physician or registered nurse. Their pay is generally three-fourths that of a registered nurse.

"We have graduates all over the country and in Italy."

"When I first started teaching, I was scared to death. The first time my knees didn't shake, I went running upstairs to tell Mildred Bradshaw about it. (Mrs. Bradshaw is director of nurses at the hospital.)

Last year Miss Mason was appointed to the State Board of Nurse Examiners. She also holds membership in the Virginia State Nurses Association, Virginia League for Nursing, Home Nursing Committee of the Red Cross, Norfolk Chapter of the United Nations and Pilot Club.

Residing near the hospital in the Holland Apartments, she enjoys knitting, reading, playing bridge and "dabbling in oils."