The Ladies of Toronto: Scientific philanthropy, demonstration effect or North American imperialism in 1940's?

• Grant number: 23/14776-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Barizon Luchesi
• Grantee: Luciana Barizon Luchesi
• Host Investigator: Dominique Avril Klakoski
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Virginia (UVa), United States

Abstract

Introduction: The nursing education in Brazil had its first initiative in 1890. Since then, another eight initiatives took place until 1918. It was not an organized process; the aim was to provide better care and to respond to advances in science. The models of training were diverse: French, British Nightingale, Red Cross. However, the arrival of Rockefeller Foundation and the organization of a Nursing School, under an Anglo-American model, in 1923, reshaped Brazilian nursing education. It was part of the international efforts of Rockefeller Foundation commissions to promote access to professional education under a scientific philanthropy idea of public health and scientific medicine. The Foundation was also involved with the development of a School of Nursing at University of São Paulo Brazil, with scholarships for Brazilian health educators: Maria Rosa Sousa Pinheiro, Zilda de Almeida Carvalho, Lucia Jardim and Glete de Alcântara (1940-1944, called as "Ladies of Toronto"). Their careers helped Brazilian nursing to achieve higher levels of professionalism, but few studies have addressed their professionalization process. Aim: To analyze the trajectory of "The Ladies of Toronto" from the Toronto School of Nursing to their roles in Brazilian nursing leadership through the lens of North American nursing influence. Material and Methods: Social historical study using the Micro-History approach. The primary sources are documents of the Nursing Schools of the University of São Paulo, Rockefeller Foundation, University of Toronto, and other collections. Papers, books, theses about Brazilian History, the Rockefeller Foundation, Nursing History in Brazil, make up secondary sources. Analysis: The analysis includes the examination of the data in their context, establishing connections among variables within a critical perspective to write the historical narrative