A Graduation in Bordeaux

Abstract

Memorial Advisory Committee since its inception in 1918. Now, in 1937, the diplomas have again been presented by an American nurse, Evelyn T. Walker, who has been connected with the Florence Nightingale School for almost twenty years, and has served as secretary of its Advisory Committee for seventeen years. The following is a description of this inspiring ceremony sent to us by Miss Walker on whom a significant honor was bestowed at the commencement exercises which she describes.-ErITOR. I suppose we all have tucked away in the Holy of Holies of our hearts and minds, some special interest apart from our regular interests, which makes life more worthwhile. For me, it is the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing in Bordeaux, France, whose nurses residence is the memorial to our American nurses who died during the Great War. It will be understood, therefore, how happy I was to be able to respond to the invitation of the Directress of the school, to present the diplomas to the twenty-five young women who were graduated this year. I wonder if I shall be able to paint for you the warmth and courtesy of my reception in Bordeaux, not only as an old friend of the school, but as the representative of the American nurses for whom they hold a sacred trust. How often while I was there, I wished that every nurse in America could realize how much our memorial in France is doing to maintain high standards of nursing and to cement the friendship between our two great countries. From the moment that I was met in Bordeaux by the Directress at seven o'clock on the morning of June twentysix until I was accompanied to the station by the President and Secretary of the Board of Directors one week later, nothing was left undone for my comfort and pleasure. Many were the expressions of appreciation to American nurses individually and en masse. The evening before commencement a wonderful entertainment was given by the nurses. The garden and faqade of the building were illuminated with colored lights; part of the program was