11/03/2025
The art of caring-Heads, heart and hands!!
A UNKNOWN BLACK HISTORY MOMENT:
In the remote corners of South Carolina, where poverty and lack of access to healthcare made illness almost a death sentence, one woman illuminated the lives of thousands with her dedication and knowledge. Her name was Maude Callen ( pictured holding her hand over the elderly woman), but to those who knew her, she will always be remembered as the "Angel of the Twilight."
Born in Florida in 1898, Callen faced adversity from a young age. Orphaned along with her 12 sisters, she found not only a home but also a calling with her uncle, one of the first Black doctors in the country. From him, she learned medical techniques that she later perfected at Florida A&M University and Georgia Infirmary in Savannah.
In the early 1920s, she moved to Pineville as a medical missionary, becoming the primary healthcare provider in an isolated community with no access to hospitals. Her home was not just a refuge but a community clinic, where she treated wounds, illnesses, and, most importantly, brought hope. She also traveled a 400-square-mile region, navigating difficult roads to visit those who needed her most.
Callen's impact went beyond that of a nurse; she was a doctor, dietitian, psychologist, support system, and friend.
It is estimated that she assisted in the birth of between 600 and 800 babies throughout her career, ensuring that each new life had a dignified start. She also passed on her knowledge to other women, training future midwives and ensuring that her legacy would live on. In 1989, the Medical University of South Carolina awarded her an honorary degree, and a scholarship was established in her name at the nursing school, ensuring that new generations of professionals would follow her example. Maude Callen devoted her life to healing both bodies and souls, leaving an indelible mark on the history of medicine and humanitarian service.
