Louisa Lee Schuyler (October 26, 1837 – October 10, 1926) was an early

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

leader in charitable work, particularly noted for founding the first nursing school in the United States.

Charitable work

During the

Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...

, at the relatively young age of 24, Schuyler was appointed as the corresponding secretary in the Woman's Central Association of Relief (WCAR) in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

. The mission of WCAR was to coordinate the efforts of the volunteers on the home front, including distribution of millions of dollars of supplies, and providing training materials. In 1873 she organized the New York State Charities Aid Association and in the following year established the first training school for

nurse Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses may be differentiated from other health c ...

s in the United States in connection with Bellevue Hospital. She also worked on projects to address tuberculosis and blindness. In 1907 she was appointed one of the original

trustee Trustee (or the holding of a trusteeship) is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, is a synonym for anyone in a position of trust and so can refer to any individual who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility to t ...

s of the

Russell Sage Foundation The Russell Sage Foundation is an American non-profit organisation established by Margaret Olivia Sage in 1907 for “the improvement of social and living conditions in the United States.” It was named after her recently deceased husband, rail ...

, founded by Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage.

Recognition

In recognition of her 40 years of activity in charitable work, she received in 1915 the honorary degree of

Doctor of Laws A Doctor of Law is a degree in law. The application of the term varies from country to country and includes degrees such as the Doctor of Juridical Science (J.S.D. or S.J.D), Juris Doctor (J.D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Legum Doctor (LL. ...

from

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

. In 2000, the State Charities Aid Association was renamed the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy in her honor.

Family and personal life

Schuyler was the great-great-granddaughter of Gen. Philip Schuyler and the great-granddaughter of

Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757July 12, 1804) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first United States secretary of the treasury from 1789 to 1795. Born out of wedlock in Charlest ...

, and the granddaughter of

James Alexander Hamilton James Alexander Hamilton (April 14, 1788 – September 24, 1878) was an American soldier, acting Secretary of State, and the third son of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He entered politics as a Democrat ...

. Schuyler never married, living with her sister Georgina for most of her adult life. She died shortly before her 89th birthday.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Schuyler, Louisa Lee 1837 births 1926 deaths Activists from New York City Women in the American Civil War Schuyler family Alexander Hamilton People of New York (state) in the American Civil War