Margaret Mary Nicholson papers

An artificial arrangement scheme was imposed on the collection. It had not been a working file or been kept by Margaret Mary Nicholson in any systematic fashion. The nature of the material suggested a topical/chronological approach. Materials range in date from 1912-1984.

The Education/Life Long Affiliations series represents Margaret Mary Nicholson's student days and alumni honors at St. Cecilia's Academy and The George Washington University. The St. Cecilia's material consists of original poems, composition books, newsclipplngs of social events, commencement memorabilia and speech, photos (1913-1917). It also Includes 1968 and 1978 alumni events. The George Washington University documents are bluebooks papers prepared in Medical School, memorabilia from the GWU 1925 commencement, a post-graduate training program and correspondence. The GWU Merit Award generated a number of clippings and correspondence. A photo of the presentation is included. This series also includes photographs of the 50th anniversary of the (Medical School) Class of 1925. The material spans 1921-1978.

The Medical Career series is divided into five major subject areas: internships, practice, conferences, professional associations, and publications. The Internship at St. Francis Hospital (Pittsburgh) section is represented by letters of recommendation, a summary of experience, photographs and negatives (1925-1926). Children's Hospital (Philadelphia), site of her second internship, is represented by correspondence, a notebook, a photograph of John Claxton (1927-1928) and a 1981 letter noting the establishment of the Margaret Mary Nicholson Fund.

Documents representing her practice and government practices Include sample prescription pads (various locations), calling and business cards, correspondence, a copy of her license from the American Board of Pediatrics, World War II gas rationing forms, a photo of Margaret Nicholson with a deformed infant, another examining a child, Children's Hospital (D.C.), appointment to the Senior Advisory Staff, the text of a speech by Milton M. Greenberg honoring Margaret Mary Nicholson and a photograph of the occasion. Also included is a copy of Margaret Mary Nicholson's application for employment (1928), certificates, awards and service commendations (1928-1979).

The section on conferences includes conference programs with a few annotations, clippings, and her passport. Documents relating to professional associations Includes correspondence, programs, committee papers, certificates of merit and training, official stationery, yearbooks, service awards and a photograph (1937-1978).

The section on publications includes an article written by Margaret Mary Nicholson In December 1954, "The Courier" of The George Washington University Medical Center. This issue also includes a biography of Nicholson. The years 1925-1981 are represented.

The Humanitarian Activities series forms a unique portion of the collection. It consists of correspondence received by Margaret Mary Nicholson from 1942 to 1952 in response to her charitable gifts to war victims In Europe. Appendix 1 lists these letters by date, sender, place of origin, and language and/or translation. The forms for overseas mall order service are included. Nicholson's activities in the Christ Child Society and the Medical Staff of Christ Child Convalescent Home are represented by organizational records, correspondence, awards and clippings. The papal honor "Pro Ecclesla et Pontifice" awarded In 1979 is documented with correspondence and photographs record The Washington Award, 1981. A diploma conferring an honorary doctorate. Trinity College, and copies of the title and dedication pages of books found among her papers round out this series. The material spans 1940-1981.

The Biographical Data Series contains Nicholson's baptismal/confirmation certificate, a 2-page original anonymous tribute (internal evidence suggests 1955), the text of the evening prayer memorial service, and photocopies of entries about Margaret Mary Nicholson in the "American Catholic Who's Wh"o and the "Social Record of Virginia" (1937).

Photographs are dispersed throughout the collection in instances where the visual enhances the document and size does not prohibit inclusion within the folders. The Photograph series includes additional photographs: two of members of the Nicholson family, seven formal portraits of Margaret Mary Nicholson (ca. 1906-1955) and four color photos of Nicholson in a social context later in life. Four group photos: St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing Silver Jubilee 1901-1906, George Washington University, Medical School Freshman, December 1921, an unidentified medical class (1925?), and The Medical Society of the District of Columbia, 1935 are included.

NB This scope and contents note was written by Sharon Galperin in 1984