Salaria Kea: The American Nurse Who Fought Racism During the Spanish Civil War and World War Two

Salaria Kea: The American Nurse Who Fought Racism During the Spanish Civil War and World War Two

Today I want to tell you a little bit about Salaria Kea.

Salaria Kea was born on the 13th of July 1913 in Milledgeville, Georgia. Her father was tragically killed while she was still just a baby. She was then raised mainly by her older brothers in Akron, Ohio.

Salaria had wanted to be a nurse since she was a child, but racial segregation made this extremely difficult. Many nursing schools refused to accept Black students. But she refused to give up. She moved to New York City and graduated from Harlem Hospital School of Nursing in 1934. Even during her student years, she challenged segregation and fought for better treatment of African American nurses.

In 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, Salaria volunteered to serve in Spain. She became the only African American nurse working with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. She helped to establish a field hospital near Madrid and then served as a head surgical nurse. For perhaps the first time, she worked in an environment where her skill mattered more than the colour of her skin. That must have been emotional.

Salaria was captured for a time, but later escaped, and she was badly injured in a bombing raid. While she was in Spain, she met Irish volunteer John O’Reilly, who she went on to marry.

During the Second World War, Salaria served again. She became one of the very few African American nurses recruited by the United States Army in 1944. In spite of her service and sacrifice, she was still forced to face racism at home.

After the war, she continued to nurse. She worked to help desegregate hospitals. Salaria sadly died on the 18th of May 1990 at the age of 76.

What is amazing to me is her determination. Salaria Kea did not just heal the wounded. She also challenged injustice. 

Had you heard of Salaria Kea before?