Staten Island Reporter

Yesterday, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) met with Virginia Allen and Curlene Jennings Bennett, two of the last living 300 African-American nurses, also known as the "Black Angels," who treated thousands of Tuberculosis patients at Staten Island's Sea View Hospital 70 years ago. Malliotakis presented Allen and Jennings Bennett with commemorative coins and formal copies of Congressional Records she submitted on their behalf, along with a Congressional Record honoring the service of the Black Angels who are now deceased. The Congressional Record formally submits their legacy to the history books of Congress and the United States.

“The Black Angels were courageous, dedicated and bold in answering the call to come to Sea View Hospital and put their lives on the line to care for severely ill Tuberculosis patients in New York City," Malliotakis said. "Because of Virginia, Curlene and the rest of the Black Angels who answered the call to serve when others wouldn't, and at a time when they didn’t even have equal rights as American citizens, tens of millions of patients were cared for, treated and cured from this deadly disease. It was an honor to meet with these angels on earth and recognize them for everything they've done to save lives and pave the way for other black nurses to integrate into the wider medical community."

Staten Island's Sea View Hospital opened in 1913 specifically to treat patients with Tuberculosis, and at its peak saw nearly 2,000 patients (almost double its intended capacity) at a time when the disease accounted for 18 percent of all deaths in New York City. Sea View Hospital was one of only four municipal hospitals in New York City that did not discriminate against black nurses, so many were recruited to step in and serve as front-line caregivers. With the help of the Black Angels, in 1951-1952 Drs. Edward Robitzek and Irving Selikoff conducted clinical trials at Sea View Hospital on Isoniazid, which became the first drug to treat Tuberculosis. Since its discovery, Isoniazid has saved tens of millions of lives.