The Black Angels

The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis

By: Maria Smilios

Narrated by: Gina Daniels

New York City, 1929. A sanatorium, a deadly disease, and a dire nurse shortage. So begins the remarkable true story of the Black nurses who helped cure one of the world’s deadliest plagues: tuberculosis.

During those dark pre-antibiotic days, when tuberculosis killed one in seven people, white nurses at Sea View, New York’s largest municipal hospital, began quitting. Desperate to avert a public health crisis, city officials summoned Black southern nurses, luring them with promises of good pay, a career, and an escape from the strictures of Jim Crow. But after arriving, they found themselves on an isolated hilltop in the remote borough of Staten Island, yet again confronting racism and consigned to a woefully understaffed facility, dubbed “the pest house” where “no one left alive.”

Spanning the Great Depression and moving through World War II and beyond, this story follows the intrepid young women, the “Black Angels,” who, for twenty years, risked their lives working under dreadful conditions while caring for the city’s poorest—1,800 souls languishing in wards, waiting to die or become “guinea pigs” for experimental (often deadly) drugs. Yet despite their major role in desegregating the NYC hospital system—and regardless of their vital work in helping to find the cure for tuberculosis at Sea View—these nurses were completely erased from history. The Black Angels recovers the voices of these extraordinary women and puts them at the center of this riveting story celebrating their legacy and spirit of survival.


Photo of nurses courtesy of NYCHHC/SeaView Archives

loved it History unveiled again

Another story showing that Black Americans helped build, support and move this country forward despite all of the obstacles, challenges and difficulties . When you read about the struggles and treatment it is eye opening.

The story is amazing.

it's pretty flat- for such an incredible, historically important story. Perhaps if some of the characters could be brought more to life with different voices reading and bringing more to life. Although I'm sure the main nurses would approve of the dullness of their lives versus their incredible contributions to NY, the US, and indeed the World! They deserve more "glitz!" I cried at the end. Thank you for this story of America a mere decade before I was born. So much I took for granted.

The rascism

That women black nurses undertook the worst & most difficult jobs with lingering & steady compassion to raise their own life status & help save the most desperately ill.

grateful

did not know or expected how hard this book was to read. so sad that these nurses were not hailed as hero's. but then again how covid was i can relate somewhat. this book is so important and i will never forget the heros in this book.

Great black history

I enjoyed reading about the accomplishments and achievements of my people, Black Americans, in spite of the obstacles before them. The author and narrator are commended in their excellent telling this story of great 20th century Americans.