Bronte Welsh – First Recognised Public Health Nurse in St. Kitts
Bronte Agatha Welsh entered the world in 1918, in Challenger’s Village. Her father, Evan Welsh worked as a mason and her mother Annie Welsh as a seamstress. Bronte imbibed the values of industry from an early age. She was the second child and eldest girl, among their six children.
Her educational journey commenced at a small private school before she transitioned to the Basseterre Girls’ School at the age of eight. Remaining there until the age of twelve, she completed her studies up to the 7th standard. Subsequently, she enrolled at the Girls’ High School in Basseterre but found life as a boarder challenging. Opting to commute from her home in Challengers, she continued her education, although the lack of convenient transportation made the journey arduous. At sixteen, she departed school without completing the Cambridge School Certificate examination.
For approximately three years, Bronte engaged in private teaching, but her true passion lay in nursing. Bronte Welsh worked as a private tutor, midwife and pharmacist. At the age of nineteen, she entered the nursing profession. Joining the staff of the Cunningham Hospital in 1942, she served as a general nurse for three years before obtaining her certificate in General Nursing and Midwifery, attaining the rank of staff nurse. She subsequently specialised in Public Health or Preventive Nursing, becoming the first recognised Public Health Nurse in St. Kitts.
In 1950, she embarked on studies in Jamaica focusing on tuberculosis treatment. Upon her return, she played a pivotal role as part of a three-person team that executed an extensive United Nations vaccination initiative. Over the course of three years, this program reached a quarter of the population of Anguilla, St. Kitts, and Nevis, resulting in a significant reduction in tuberculosis-related mortality rates. In 1954, she furthered her expertise in Home Nursing Care and Supervision at the Westminster and Chelsea Queen’s District Nursing Home in England, after she secured a British Commonwealth Scholarship.
Upon her return to St. Kitts, she was appointed Supervisor of Public Health Nursing and later became the first local nurse to hold the position of Superintendent of Public Health Nursing in 1957. Throughout her career, she actively participated in professional organisations and advocated for the rights of nurses, including securing pensions for midwives and lifting restrictions on married women seeking overseas training.
Retiring from the Government Service in 1971, Bronte relocated to the United States Virgin Islands, where she pursued further studies and contributed to healthcare initiatives. Despite facing adversity following a spinal injury in 1979, she remained resolute in her determination to actively participate in society, though confined to her wheelchair. She was as an inspiration to many. She compiled a booklet titled “Nursing – A Calling or a Career.” The purpose of the booklet was not only to share these insights but also to raise funds for a charitable cause. Specifically, the proceeds from the booklet sales were used in acquiring a van to facilitate transportation for people with physical disabilities. This initiative demonstrates a commitment to both sharing knowledge within the nursing profession and supporting broader community needs.
Bronte Welsh passed away in August 1997, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to nursing and a commitment to improving the lives of others. Her contributions to the field of healthcare continue to be remembered and appreciated.