The Key West Citizen Newspaper, February 13, 1953, Page 7

. Cray Ladies Serve With Honor + in te: Oy) Patient - BAILLOD talks to Richard Crump in respect to onal letter home. Lady, assets in meking appoint s im tee Out-Pauent Cidms at the MRS. REGINALD WORKMAN aids patient in the selection of a library book. This is a regular scivice of the Gray Ladiés Corps at the Hospital. fraticse ts a4 MISS MARY FORTNER is congratulated by Capt. T. D. Boa Executive Officer of the Naval Hospital, as she is being “cappea by Mrs. Lucille Inslee at the latest Gray Lady graduation. LATEST GROW! Che McFai MRS. DUGGER also assists Lt. Goodrich in handicrafts, The Gray Lady Corps’ was first organized at Walter’ Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D. C. in 1918 and received its name from the patients who affectionately re- ferred to its members as Gray Ladies because of the color of their uniforms. The Gray Lady Corps of the Key West Chapter had its beginning in June 1943. There have been classes each year, and Gray Ladies have been working in the Naval Hospital continually since the Corps was organized. From the original grad- uating class of 1943 there is still one active member, Mrs, Clyde Brunson, who in the ensuing years has worked at various other Naval Hospitals, but who rejoined this Corps upon her return to Key West to make her homé@ The Gray Ladies are all volun- teers and recruited through the lo- cal Chapter of thé American Red Cross of which Mrs. Carola Nettles is the Executive Secretary. Before they are allowed to go on the wards of the hospital or work in the clinics, they must attend a training course of approximately a week at which time are given lec- tures by the hospital staff as well as by the Red Cross workers so that they are better qualified to accept their responsibilities as workers in a medical setting. 'P OF GRADUATES became Oo Ruth Beyer, Ethel Baers, Bon nd and Louise Duke. Seeund row Q'Hara, Vere: Shonfeid, Doris O'b.n.. Peggy Canby, Mary Cox, Rose Hopey and Lorraine Yale. ~ Following this period of training they must serve a minimum of ten hours of probationary training un- der the supervision of Miss Eliza- beth G. Taylor, Field -Director, and Miss Martha Peters, Head Recreation Worker. Graduation follows the completion of - their probationary training and’. they are ‘ull-fledged Gray Ladies, on whom the Red Cross and the Hos- pital depend to carry out certain functions. These Gray Ladies, who have to purchase their own uniforms, serve with no thought of remuneration other than the satisfaction of giv- ing of their time and service for the welfare of the patients. The Gray Ladies are expected to give only 52 hours.a year but in actual practice, these volunteers, many of whom have: to hire baby sitters, in order to be free tocome to the hospital, ‘serve many more than the required 52 hours. Two of the recent graduates served over 20 hours in their’ probationary period. The services of the Gray Ladies are utilized in different phases of work according to the needs of the hospital in which they may be working. In the Naval Hospital here they are assigned to various duties. Some do ward visiting to« help patients with any personal needs such as shopping or letter Workman, Dorothy MeCue. Winifred Leight! Mary MRS. H. E. PACE, Gray Lady, assists with recreational progress. eget 8 dipet de cers Tf Clinic, OB Clinic, Orthopedic ic, and EENT Clinic where they Boca Chica Clinic, and the Old Folks Home is visited one night a month. Captain Bruce E. Bradley, Com- manding Officer of the U.S, Naval Hospital, is high in his praise of the contribution made by the Gray opinion render without remuneration. He extends his appreciation to Gray Ladies who have ing here and adds his come to the 17 new gr: received their diplomas I.