Army ROTC and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health helped to celebrate the achievements of one of Black American history’s pioneering professionals, Della H. Rainey, this month in Basil O’Connor Hall. During WWII, Rainey became the first Black nurse commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and the first nurse to become part of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Lt. Col. Patricia A. Coburn, deputy chief nurse for U.S. Army Cadet Command, was the guest speaker for the event. After a presentation, a cake was cut to honor the birthday of the U.S. Army Nurses Corps. Feb. 2 marked 112 years that this service branch has been in existence.