This tale of our Muskegon River Valley takes place during the darkest hours of our Nation's greatest trial by combat. At the onset of World War Two, the number of trained nurses available for both military service and the home front was severely limited. To ease the shortage while additional nurses could be trained, a home front women's auxiliary under the sponsorship of the American Red Cross was organized. Only members of the Red Cross who were at least twenty five years old were allowed to volunteer for the organization. Local doctors and registered nurses taught the course of study whose twelve lectures covered lessons in hospital ethics, organization and priocedures. The trainees were also taught basic and advanced first aid. Upon completion of the eighteen hours of course work, the passing of an examination prepared by the National Red Cross, and the successful completion of eight three-hour probationary shifts the aspirants were awarded a diploma. The uniform was a white cap with a red cross, white stockings and shoes, and a white-cuffed gray dress. When working a hospital shift, a wedding band and an enameled Red Cross pin were the only jewelry that a Gray Lady was allowed to wear.
Mrs. Lucille (Carl) Rex was appointed the head of the local chapter of the Gray Ladies at the monthly meeting of the Big Rapids Community Hospital Auxiliary on Febraury 9, 1942. Community ladies interested in joining the Gray Ladies met on March 18. Mr. Grover C. Baker, former head of the Mecosta County Red Cross. Dr. Thomsa P. Treynor, and Miss Melida Amli, Superintendent of Nurses, presented the instruction. By doubling up the class sessions, course work was completed on Wednesday April 15, the final exam was given on April 22, and the three-hour probationary morning, afternoon, and evening shifts began on Wednesday, April 23.
A brief graduation ceremony was held on the evening of Friday, May 8, 1942, on the north lawn of the hospital. Mrs. Bernice (Alfred) Clark on behalf of the class presented head nurse, Miss Amli with a farewell gift. Mrs. Lucille (Carl) Rex chairman of the Gray Ladies, Mrs. Ethel (Tobias S.) Williams schedule chairman, and Mrs. R.J. Hill, secretary were given corsage boquets. Boy Scouts David Starr, Stewart Hull, Billy Faunce, and Donald Hull provided the color guard for the National and Red Cross flags. Mr. A.A. Worce4ster presented the twenty four members of the class with their certificates of completion. The first members of Big Rapids Gray Ladies included: Mrs. Belle (Roy) Buck; Mrs. Margaret (James B.) Campbell, Mrs. Bernice (Alfred B.) Clark; Mrs. Mildred (Willis) Cota, Mrs. Mae (Rolland) Faunce, Mrs. Isabelle (Edward B.) Gardner, Mrs. Olive (John) Hagman, Mrs. Vera (Ralph) Hanchett, Mrs. Dorothy (George C.) Herdegen, Mrs. Kathryn (George) LaVere, Mrs. Mazie ( Robert A.) Meister, Mrs. Viola (James) Middleton, Mrs. Ora (F. Clarke) Morris, Mrs. Doris (Bohn E.) Musgrave, Mrs. Mary (Roy) Peer, Mrs. Evangeline Pryor, Mrs. Lucille (Carl) Rex, Mrs. Ruth (Leo) Scholler, Mrs. Mildred (Wilson) Scott, Mrs. Margaret (Carlton) Shust, Mrs. Mary (Horace R.) Skinner, Mrs. Ethel (Tobias S.) Williams, Mrs. Lottie (Carl) Wood, and Mrs. Ernestine (Gordon) Yeo.
In July 1942 head nurse Miss Melida Amil went to Detroit for a year's study in advanced nursing techniques and was replaced by Miss Amelia Ditt as Seperintendent of Nurses. In October 1942, a second Gray Lady class was organized. These sixteen Gray Ladies were presented with their diplomas on December 10, 1942. In February 1943 Mrs. Ernestine Yeo and Mrs. Vera Hanchett entertained the Gray Ladies and members of the Community Hospital nursing staff. The Pioneer reported that a delightful afternoon tea was enjoyed between and three and five and that lovely snapdragons and calla lilies presented a decorative spring time effect throughout the Yeo residence on Rust Avenue. By June of 1943. forty Gray Ladies had given 5,000 hours of service to the Community Hospital. This meant that collectively they had replaced the equivalent of two and a half full-time nurses.
One June 2, in a simple ceremony at the Community Hospital, twenty-two members of the original group were preented with their first years red service stripe. IN November, a third Gray Lady class began the course of instruction. On February 10, 1944, the twenty-four members of the third class received their diplomas. At the same ceremony, thirteen members of the second class were awarded their one year service stripes, by this time the Gray Ladies had donated 9,000 nursing hours to the Big Rapids Community Hospital. World War Two effectively ended when the Imperial Japanese Government unconditionally agreed to surrender on August 14, 1945.
This tale of our Muskegon River Valley is finished. The Gray Ladies provided Big Rapids with a vital needed community service during our Country's most harrowing national emergency -- World War Two. They made a difference! ?They were the Gray Ladies of BIg Rapids!
About the Author:
Jim Wood was born in Big Rapids and is a retired aerospace engineer. Jim's family has lived in North America 365 years, in Michigan for more than 160 years, and this region for more than 140 years. His wife Doraluvinia was born in Los Angeles and is a stained glass artisan. They reside at Peachwood in Millbrook Town, Mecosta County, Michigan on a high and windy hill where time stands still.
