First Male Graduate Breaks Tradition at Peabody Practical Nursing School-August 28, 1972

Breaking ground in a traditionally female-dominated field, David Thurber of Austin Street will make history on September 21 as the Henry O. Peabody School’s first male graduated licensed practical nurse. Standing as the lone male among 32 graduates, Thurber approaches his unique milestone with quiet good humor, viewing nursing as a rewarding and viable career path for both men and women.

Thurber’s journey into the medical profession began during his active duty service as a military medic in the United States Navy. Following his release from service, he secured employment as an orderly at Norwood Hospital. “I liked it and decided to keep up with it,” Thurber explained, adding that a primary draw to the profession was simply “just being with people.”

His decision to enter practical nursing received immediate and enthusiastic support from his family, including his young wife and bookkeeper, Mary Thurber, who was entirely unfazed by her husband entering a historically non-traditional career path.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger

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