Goldie Allen: Appalachian Itinerant Red Cross Nurse

At the turn of the twentieth century gains in knowledge related to the etiology, transmission, treatment, and prevention of many diseases gave rise to new efforts in the field of public health. Women trained in the emerging field of professional public health nursing translated these new scientific findings into action. Even in remote areas of America, nurses were involved in the movement to enhance the quality of life through public health measures (Donahue, 1985). Although much of the early history of public health nursing, especially in southern and Appalachian communities has been forgotten or ignored, the pioneers in public health nursing contributed to their profession and communities in ways worthy of remembrance. This article is an account of the work of the first community health nurse in Avery County, North Carolina.