Judy Allen at the St. Michael's Hospital

Judy Allen at the St. Michael's Hospital

This is a picture of a few nurses working at the St. Michael’s Hospital. Judy Allen(in the middle), a Jamaican born nurse who came to the hospital in 1972 as a qualified Registered Nurse with hopes of new opportunities in Canada. She recalls her experience in the workplace, that both patients and staff looked at her “differently”, often disregarding her qualifications and knowledge. She provides a good first-hand account of what it was like to be an immigrant nurse of African descent in post-war Canada.

St. Michael's Hospital

Unity Health Toronto. 2022. “For 100 years, Black nurses have offered exceptional care and leadership at Unity Health hospitals. Here’s how they challenged the status quo.” Unity Health Toronto. https://unityhealth.to/2022/02/black-nurses-care-and-leadership/.

Unity Health Toronto

1970s

Unity Health Toronto

Photograph