Phoebe Pember
1823–1913 (age 90)
Nurse
Biography
Phoebe Pember devoted her life to nursing, notably serving as matron of Chimborazo Hospital during the Civil War, where she navigated scarce resources while providing compassionate care. Her memoir, 'A Southern Woman's Story,' preserved the voices of caregivers and highlighted the resilience of nurses in trying times.
After the war she continued to champion better training and respect for women in medical service, mentoring younger nurses and supporting veterans through difficult recoveries. She rests at Laurel Grove North Cemetery, her legacy of courage and advocacy enduring.