By Kelsey Koym, Archivist and Special Collections Librarian
The photo of Constance White was taken at Hermann Hospital and was previously in a scrapbook the nurses made. There is a picture of Florence Nightingale on the wall behind her. According to the inscription on the back Constance was the superintendent of Nurses at Hermann Hospital between 1942-1945. The inscription also states she was a Graduate of Philadelphia General Hospital School of Nursing.
Many of Constance’s students would write letters to her during their time stationed overseas during World War II. Below is a transcription of a six-page letter from one of her previous students. The letter below is from a student named Aline Benton.
28 Feb. 1945 France
pg. 1
Dear Miss White:
I had a letter from Mrs. Armstrong yesterday all about the hospital and alumnae. It was very interesting and I was glad to read all you had stated in a meeting. Its wonderful to hear about the progress of “good ole Hermann.” We always knew you’d make Hermann one of the best schools of nursing. May I say we’re all proud of you too.
I’ve been hearing from Miss McClellen very regularly since I left her in Okla. Possibly you know that she’s stationed at…
El Paso, Texas. Also perhaps you’ve heard that she’s very happily married to a very nice young man. I’m very happy for her for she deserves it. I must admit I miss her very much – she was the best roomate any girl could ever have had.
pg. 2
I also heard from Tommie Henley recently. She’s still stationed at Hondo, Texas. She was very happy when I heard from her for she was expecting her sister Nellie home on leave from England.
I suppose you know where Miss Reals is and also I’m sure Miss Melton has…
written to you. She wrote to me and said she was going to write you a letter. That’s about all the news I know of about our girls from Hermann way.
pg. 3
As for me I’m fine and enjoying my service very much. When I first landed in France we lived in tents for a long time. It was pretty cold then. In fact there was more snow than I’d seen in all my life put together. It really was a beautiful sight to see everything covered with a blanket of white. I’ve moved lately and no longer live in tents.
Now I live in a large chateau in which also is our work. Its very beautiful – looks like an old castle. Its owned by a very wealthy Frenchman and boasts the age of 96 yrs. If it could only talk it could really tell the tales for its been occuppied by German, French, English and American troops. Some of the very old furniture yet remains and I must say its certainly beautiful. I could never start to describe the surrounding which are very lovely – In the rear our hill overlooks a river and on all sides are hills and trees. (Whose beauty is quite un-describeable) We now enjoy lights, running water, and…
pg. 4
the best treat of all is indoor bathrooms. We hope to soon have hot water so we may again take tub baths – instead of helmet baths. The French people are very nice and can really tell tales about the Germans – which we always delight in hearing. We all like France fine but shall be very happy when the war is over and we can again return and see our Statue of Liberty waving at us. Happy day – for everyone.
pg. 5
There is much I’d like to tell you but which I am unable to say. So I guess that’s about all for now. If you ever have time to drop me a few lines…
I’d enjoy them very much. Although I do realize how very busy you must be. When you see Miss Hopkins, Poye and Powell please give them my regards.
pg. 6
For now I shall say goodbye and Goodluck to you in all you endeavors.
As always
Aline Benton
The letter is a wonderful example of how people communicated before modern media channels. During the War people wanted to know what was happening from those they knew personally, especially whenever someone was stationed in Europe. There are several other letters in the collection to Constance White and other Hermann Hospital staff, and while reading the letters the reader gets to learn about the relationships among these nurses, their occupations, and where they were during the War.