Interview with Helen E. Browne, March 27, 1979
Project: Frontier Nursing Service Oral History Project
Interview Summary
Continuing from the previous interview, Helen Browne discusses Mary Breckinridge's political views and the background of some of her policy decisions. Browne also continues her comment about Breckinridge's racial attitudes and gives Breckinridge's perspective on the Vietnam War. Some information is given in regard to Breckinridge's second husband, Richard Thompson, the father of Breckie. Browne provides details of Breckinridge's last days and goes into the personal interest of Breckinridge and some of her staff in spiritualism. In addition to observations concerning government funding and the Appalachian Regional Commission, Browne tells of raising money for the new hospital and of obtaining $25,000 from the local community. Browne comments upon family life in the area, distribution of labor, and attitudes toward work. She also mentions Mary Breckinridge's original opposition to family planning. Discussion of food prepared in the hospital and cultural orientation in regard to food leads to discussion of food in the home locally. Browne contrasts academic and clinical backgrounds of nurses who came to the FNS. Besides indicating some general mistakes made by persons who came into the area with the idea of helping the mountain people, Browne comments occasionally upon administrative difficulties.Interview Accession
Interviewee Name
Interviewer Name
Interview Date
Interview LC Subject
African Americans--Social conditions Appalachian Region--Social life and customs Breckinridge, Mary, 1881-1965 Country life Farm life--Appalachian Region Food habits--Appalachian Region, Southern Frontier Nursing Service, Inc. Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing Hospitals--Administration Medical care--Appalachian Region Medical centers--Administration Medical education Nursing--Study and teaching Rural conditions Rural health services Southern States--Race relations Vietnam War, 1961-1975Interview Rights
All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.Interview Usage
Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.Restriction
Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.
All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.
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Browne, Helen E. Interview by Dale Deaton. 27 Mar. 1979. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Browne, H.E. (1979, March 27). Interview by D. Deaton. Frontier Nursing Service Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.
Browne, Helen E., interview by Dale Deaton. March 27, 1979, Frontier Nursing Service Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
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