Alvena M. Cooke papers

Collection

Identifier: AMN 1054

Scope and Contents

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The collection is arranged into four series

Series 1: Biographical materials consists of school records, vaccination card; autograph book from hospital and training school (class of 1934), professional development certificates from Meharry Medical College, The American National Red Cross, and certificate of appreciation from the state and county. Additional information relating to her retirement in 1978.

Series 2: Photographic Materials consists of group and single photos of Cooke with family and friends. Specific names denoted on the photos include Seabrook, Holloway, DeCosta, McCottry and McFall and locations include Meharry.

Series 3: Publications consist of news clippings about Dr. Alfred G. Johnson (Petersburg Psychiatric Institute (Petersburg, VA)), Maude Callen (midwife), Dr. Edward Butler Burroughs, Vivian Moultrie (nee Anderson), Loraine E. Moultrie. Loraine and Vivian were both Black nurses. Additionally, there is a 1945 report from the Charleston County Department of Health, titled “A Quarter of a Century of Public Health in Charleston, South Carolina, 1920-1945”. The report was written by Dr. Leon Banov.

Series 4: Other Individuals consists of documents relating to 1: Dr. Charles T. Holloway, 1935-1938 (includes correspondence relating to his internship at St. Louis Hospital and Owl’s Whist Club banquet (1964)); 2. Mrs. H. A. Broderick, 1950 (The American National Red Cross certificate for her staff aide service course); and 3. Aunt Julia Argro, 1960-1969 (scrapbook and a watercolor she did)

Dates

Creation: 1924-1980, and undated

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Avery Research Center's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Avery Research Center claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical Note

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Alvena Margaret Cooke was born in Dorchester County on June 15, 1913 to Harry Michael Cooke and Mary Richardson Cooke. She was raised by her aunt Julia in Summerville, SC and her aunt’s friend in Charleston. She attended Episcopal School and later Alston Graded School and ultimately graduated from Burke High School (1931). Cooke spent most of her teenage and adult life living in downtown Charleston at 555 Rutledge Ave, before moving to Johns Island in 1969.

Cooke received her nursing training at Cannon Street Hospital and Training School in Charleston under the direction of Dr. Seabrook and Mrs. Mabel Oliver. She graduated in 1934 and in 1935 started working as a public health nurse at the Charleston City (now County) Health Department. She retired from this role in 1978.

Cooke held memberships in several nursing associations and sororities and was member of Calvary Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC. Cooke was a charter member of the nursing sorority, Chi Eta Phi (1969).

Cooke died on October 1, 2002 and is interred in the Cooke Family Cemetery in Summerville, Dorchester County, South Carolina.

Full Extent

0.417 linear feet (1 legal Hollinger box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Alvena Margaret Cooke was born in Dorchester County on June 15, 1913, to Harry Michael Cooke and Mary Richardson Cooke. Cooke received her nursing training at Cannon Street Hospital and Training School in Charleston under the direction of Dr. Seabrook and Mrs. Mabel Oliver. She graduated in 1934 and worked primarily as a public health nurse. She retired from nursing in 1978. The collection documents Cooke's personal relationships and career as a nurse in Charleston county via correspondence, photographs, and certificates.