Clotilda Douglas-Yakimchuk
Canadian nurse (1932-2021)
Clotilda Adessa Douglas-Yakimchuk (née Coward; January 11, 1932 – April 15, 2021) was a Canadian nurse. She was the first African-Canadian to graduate from the Nova Scotia Hospital School of Nursing and the first black president of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Nova Scotia.
Early life and education
Clotilda Adessa Douglas-Yakimchuk was born Clotilda Adessa Coward in Whitney Pier, Nova Scotia, to Arthur and Lillian (Blackman) Coward. Growing up, her family dealt with racism while living in Whitney Pier. Her father was forced to quit his job at the steel plant due to discrimination, and her sister was unable to find a job.
In the early 1950s, Clotilda applied to various nursing schools, but never heard back and was never given a reason for her rejections. Clotilda believed that "they were not open readily, I think, to Black students at the time."
In 1954, Coward became the first black graduate of the Nova Scotia Hospital School of Nursing. She would later earn her post graduate psychiatric nursing certificate from the Nova Scotia Hospital. She earned her Diploma in Adult Education from Saint Francis Xavier University.
Career
After earning her nursing qualifications, Coward Douglas began her career at the Nova Scotia Hospital as Head Nurse of the Admission/Discharge Unit.
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