Esther McCready interview

Description

Esther McCready (1931-2020) was a Baltimore, Maryland, native and the first African American to gain admittance to the University of Maryland School of Nursing. In 1949 at the age of 18, McCready applied to attend the school but was denied based on her race. Following her rejection, she fought with a team of lawyers, including Thurgood Marshall, and gained admission in 1950. McCready graduated in 1953, and upon passing the State Nursing Boards, embarked on a career that included nursing, teaching, and public speaking. In this oral history interview, McCready describes the difficulties of her application process and legal battle, as well as her time as a student. McCready also touches on her lengthy career in nursing that followed, as well as her other careers in music and teaching.