Nursing changed the direction of Martha Toole Harvey’s life. It gave her discipline, purpose, and financially stability. The Class of 1956 Johns Hopkins School of Nursing graduate was so grateful for all that nursing had given her that she started an endowed scholarship to support today’s nursing students. This video, produced lovingly by her granddaughter, pays tribute to Martha’s life and legacy.
Martha’s path to nursing began when she accidentally closed a car door on her hand. She was impressed by the confident and kind nurse who treated her — and who happened to be a Johns Hopkins nurse — and was inspired to consider nursing as a career. She was accepted to the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing where she thrived; she was promoted to the clinical unit, elected to several student government positions, and selected to lead her classmates in taking the nursing pledge.
After graduation, Martha moved to New York City to work at Sloan Kettering Hospital. There she met and married orthopedic surgeon Paul Harvey. Five daughters were born in quick succession, and although Martha gave up working in the hospital, she kept her nursing license up to date, so she could volunteer as a school and camp nurse.
It was through her investment club and after a small windfall in Home Depot stock, she decided to start the Martha Toole Harvey Endowed Scholarship Fund in 1994. She wanted repay the funds she received as a young nursing student. Martha passed away in March of 2021 at the age of 89 from Alzheimer’s. The scholarship fund continues her legacy by helping future nurses realize their career goals.
Topics: Alumni, School of Nursing, Support Scholars