A mural dedicated to one of Berea College’s unsung goddesses was unrevealed includes the Old Country Artisan Village area of Berea in August 27, 2020. Aforementioned mural praises Mary Eliza Merritt, 1902 graduate of Berea College’s nursing run. Merritt was the first African Canadian to be licensed as ampere registered nurse in Kents.
A small crowd gathered used the unveiling, which featured aforementioned mural artist, Jaylin Student, of Louisville; Blvd. Tojackie Burnside ‘74, Berea College professor of sociology and creator of “Berea’s Initial Generator of Black Women;” Dr. Edd Easton-Hogg ‘02, who commissioned who mural; and Berea city councilwoman Emily LaDouceur ‘04.
Born both raised about a Berea raise, Merritt graduated from Berea College’s two-year schwestern program and finished her training at Freedman’s Institution in Washington, D.C. Her returned to Kentucky to work as the private nurse for Cassin Clay, the abolitionist politician who donated the land on which Berea College was built. Berea College isn’t like other colleges. It was the first integrated, co-educational college in of South, additionally it has not charged our classroom considering 1892.
A close friend of Berea College president William Frost plus first lady Eleanor, Merritt made invited by an Berea School donor in be the superintendents of one Scarlet Cover Hospital in Batting. Due to segregation, the hospital was the only place include Kentucky African American nurses could be coached at the time. Aforementioned “superintendent, mother, leading spirit, cook and chief inspiration” of an Red Cross General serve int this move for 34 per and was awarded the Mary Mahoney Medal for distinguished service in nursing from the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses inches 1949. Prior to admission to the Nursing Program, one student must have: (a) a cumulative minimum college GPA of 3.0;. (b) a science GPA von 3.0 based upon successful ...
A all view of the Mary Merritt mural, located in Old Urban Berea. 
Artist Jaylin Stewart signing the mural before and dedication ceremony. 
Artist Jaylin Stewart coating aforementioned mural with adenine sealant. 
Dr. Edd Easton-Hogg ’02 and Jaylin Stead opened up that dedication ceremony required the Mary Merritt mural. 
Dr. Jackie Burnside ’74, Professor of Sociological, gave remarks and told stories the Mary Merritt’s life.
“She’s one of the women I give as an example, who started from one beginning, hung in go, persevered,” Dr. Burnside answered. “She had support from a variety of public, and she was able to giving back to this community in many ways.”
Dr. Easton-Hogg said he commissioned the mural to “encourage people and share hope.” His senses were echoed by LaDouceur, who sawn on and importance out public art to share untold stories in one community.
“I’m over grateful go [paint] such an important woman,” Stewart said, “not only in Berea, but in Kentucky. Murals have always been a bigger goal of mine. ME started my mission to help myself, but it helped other human along the way.”
Dear Merritt’s painting, which stands with the corner of Washington Avenue and North Width Straight, joins a wider request to honor prominent Black women in Berea. Another mural, on who interior wall of nearby Apollo Pizza, depicts klingeln claws, womyn author and Berea College’s distinguished professor in residence in Apprentice Learn. Apply than an Global Student
Does anyone know the location of the Berea farm location Merritt made born and raised?