| Description | Oral history interview with Jean Page. C60 cassette x 1 (Copy). Track 1: 30m 52s & track 2: 30m 54s
Copy of article by Susan McGann published in History of Nursing Society Journal, vol. 4, no. 1 (1992/93)
Full transcription (21 pages) LMA 2009
Page, Jean (b.1906), long-serving member of the administrative staff of the College. Page's early reminiscences are of the 1920s and the early days of the Royal College of Nursing, including the campaign to obtain a Royal Charter and efforts to build up the membership. She recalls a number of details from these days, royal visits and early figures including Dame Sarah Swift, Dame Alicia Lloyd-Still, Dame Ellen Musson and first College Secretary Mary Rundle. Page took the minutes of Council meetings for many years. She was secretary to first three General Secretaries of the RCN (1932-1966). As Frances Goodall's secretary, she travelled to many meetings in other parts of the UK. She and Goodall remained friends after her retirement. Page talks about the Whitley Council, changes in membership and links with government and the trade unions. After Goodall's retirement in 1957 Page continued in post under Catherine Mary Hall. In the second part of the interview Page reminisces about the Second World War and recalls fire watching at the College. She returns to the time spent working for Hall and her work in Council meetings. She then returns to earlier years and her memories of Sir Arthur Stanley, as well some memories of the First World War, which ended when she was twelve, concluding with mentions of the Salmon and Horder committees. |