Two pioneers who helped heal their communities physically and spiritually.
In honor of Black health and wellness and Black History Month (both of which we celebrate and embody year round), I’m giving shine to leaders in health, beauty and wellness. I, like most of us, am very familiar with many of our civil rights leaders, celebrities, artists, athletes, and entertainers. However, the medical, spiritual, and wellness realms are often overlooked or forgotten. As you read about the groundbreaking surgeon and powerful Voodoo Queen, you’ll see that these internationally known community leaders are more than deserving of their flowers, infinitely.
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Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, first African American to perform successful open heart surgery.
Born January 18, 1856, Hollidaysburg, PA, passed away August 4th, 1931, Idlewild, MI.
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams founded Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses in Illinois. Hospitals and schools were reluctant to hire Black staff and admit Black students so Dr. Williams decided to create these opportunities himself. Additionally, Dr. Williams was the first Black surgeon to perform a successful heart surgery on a human patient in 1893. This was done without any of the modern technology or medicine doctors use today; no x-rays, anesthesia, blood transfusions, etc. The patient is said to have lived another 20 years following the surgery.
Dr. Williams was a member of the Illinois State Board of Health, taught at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, and created an internship program at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he served as surgeon in chief. Today his hospital is named Provident Hospital of Cook County. Originally from Hollidaysburg, PA, Dr. Williams was born January 18, 1856, and laid to rest August 4th, 1931, Idlewild, MI.
Provident Hospital of Cook County today
Marie Laveau(x), Queen of Voodoo, herbalist, counselor, spiritual advisor.
Born September 10th between 1794-1801, the iconic priestess passed away on June 15, 1881.
Marie Laveaux was a spiritual leader in New Orleans, Louisiana, known as the “Queen of Voodoo.” From politicians to civilians, blacks and whites, Laveau was revered as the city’s top ranked healing warrior armed with herbal remedies, fortune telling, and spiritual gifts. Her infamous spiritual ceremonies were held at her home on St. Ann Street, Bayou St. John’s, Congo Square, and Lake Pontchartrain. Queen Marie was said to heal the sick, bring good favor, and provide counseling for her clients in their love lives, finances, and legal affairs. Her house at 1020 Saint Ann St in Nola is still available for tours (although the original structure was torn down and rebuilt in 1903) and many people visit her official shrine at the New Orleans Healing Center.
Source: Times-Picayune via The Ghost City Tours website
You may remember award-winning actress Angela Bassett portraying her likeness in American Horror Story: Coven. Although the exact year of her birth is unknown (estimated September 10th between 1794-1801), the iconic priestess passed away on June 15, 1881, and is buried in the St. Louis Cemetery No.1 in Nola.
Marie Laveau’s house (rebuilt in the early 1900s)
In 2022, our people are actively and collectively working to change the narrative of black mental health, break generational curses, and get as fit as we can while improving our diets. A healthy combination of science and spirituality (which some argue are one in the same the deeper you study and practice) seems to be a promising strategy to heal from the inside out. By taking advantage of modern technology, access to information and resources, studying the patterns of the past in order to meet the ever-changing needs of today, and working together, we can attain supreme health now and for future generations in our families and communities at large.