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
More Peabody School Stories
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Peabody Nurses Graduate-This Day in Norwood History-January 24, 1964
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Chamber Asks Park Be Named In Honor Of Dr. Cleveland-This Day in Norwood History-February 8, 1963
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Your Hospital-This Day in Norwood History-January 19, 1961
‘Norwood Hospital welcomes the 19 students from the Henry O. Peabody School who have begun their clinical training, coming to the hospital at present on Tuesday and Friday mornings. The students will .akc on ward duties gradually during the first five months at the school, after which they begin the regular affiliation with the hospital…
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Norwood School Joins Hospital To Train Girls-January 7, 1961
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Henry O. Peabody School Ad-August 29, 1957
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Geraldine Annese Was Singing When She Left Chums-November 5, 1954
Geraldine Annese Was Singing When She Left Chums-This Day in Norwood History-November 5, 1954
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Trailerites Steven & Minnie Laraway Realize Their Dream of Ideal Existence-This Day in Norwood History-February 12, 1948
Laraways Have More Money And Time Since Buying Movable Home Mr. and .Mrs. Steven L. Laraway, their 16-year-old daughter, Estelle, and the family cat, Minnie, live on the corner of Sumner street and the Providence Highway. Norwood. Like everyone else in the world, they have always had dreams of an ideal existence. Unlike the majority…
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1947 Historical Sketch-The Norwood Business Association
At the annual town meeting on March 7, 1892, a motion was made by John C. Lane and unanimously adopted by the town: “That a standing committee be appointed to further the general interests of the town and especially to consider and devise ways and means of increasing the business done in the town, such…
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School Board Studies Hockey Rink For School, New Schools, Sets New Weather Policy-This Day in Norwood History-June 30, 1946
The Norwood School Committee institutes a firm new inclement weather academic policy, launches cost evaluations for a high school hockey rink, and updates educational equipment for the local schools.
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Bank Appoints Bertha Sawyer First Woman Branch Manager-This Day in Norwood History-January 20-1945
Directors of the South Shore National Bank met at the Main Office in Quincy last week for their first meeting of the new year and appointed the first woman branch manager in the 129-year history of the bank. Recipient of the appointment is Mrs. Bertha N. Sawyer, the former Bertha Niemi of Norwood. A graduate…
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