Eloise Patricia Rallings Lewis Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0128

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Lewis Papers cover her career from 1953 to 1985 as well as some of her activities after her retirement. The collection contains correspondence, speeches, biographical information and photographs, publications, plaques and artifacts. The single largest group of papers is her speeches.

Dates

1943 - 1999

Creator

Lewis, Eloise Rallings (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information. Please see our Sensitive Materials Statement.

Biographical or Historical Information

Eloise Patricia Rallings Lewis was born in Pageland, South Carolina, in 1920. Known to many as "Pattie," she attended Winthrop College and received degrees from Vanderbilt University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Duke University. Dr. Lewis taught in the schools of nursing at Johns Hopkins University, Women's Medical College (Philadelphia), the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1945, she was a member of the Army Nurse Corps.

In 1966, Dr. Lewis became the founding Dean of the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Under her leadership, the School gained state and national accreditation, a master's degree program was added, and a chapter of the honorary society of nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, was established. Dr. Lewis retired from UNCG in 1985.

Dr. Lewis was very active in various professional organizations including the American Nurses Association, the National League for Nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the American Academy of Nursing. She served as president of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and of the North Carolina Nurses Association. Recognized as a leader and educator, she received many national, state and local awards -- including the O. Max Gardner Award, the highest award given to faculty members in the UNC system; the Founders Award, the highest honor bestowed by Sigma Theta Tau International; and Boss of the Year in Greensboro in 1981. Known for her ability to energize, empower and motivate others, she was sought after as a speaker for various groups. She received four honorary degrees.

Dr. Lewis was involved in many community and civic organizations. She was particularly active in Hospice, serving as president and on the Board of Hospice of Greensboro. Dr. Lewis died in 1999.

Extent

5.20 Linear Feet (10 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Dr. Eloise P. Lewis became the founding Dean of the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Under her leadership, the School gained state and national accreditation, a master's degree program was added, and a chapter of the honorary society of nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, was established.

The Lewis Papers cover her career from 1953 to 1985 as well as some of her activities after her retirement. The collection contains correspondence, speeches, biographical information and photographs, publications, plaques and artifacts.

Arrangement Note

The collection is arranged in the following series: Series 1: Correspondence; Series 2: Speeches, addresses, and remarks; Series 3: Awards and biographical materials; Series 4: Writings, publications, and resource material; and Series 5: Oversized materials.

Method of Acquisition

Received from Dr. Lewis April and May, 1996. A few artifacts were delivered by the Development Office to the Archives in November 1999, after the death of Dr. Lewis. Additional artifacts received from Janet Hendley in September 2008.

Offensive Language Statement

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