The Nurse Who Defied Jim Crow: The Untold Story of Viola Edwards

In 1924, Viola Edwards revolutionized healthcare for Black women by opening Pensacola’s first maternity hospital. But by 1925, Jim Crow laws viciously attacked her work, leading to her hospital being burned down. This is the story of a fearless nurse who refused to be silenced, fighting for the lives of Black mothers and children.

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This channel shares historical stories based on scholarly research, archival records, legal
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past. These stories are presented for educational purposes, with care and respect for those
whose experiences are remembered. Our goal is to educate, preserve memory, and foster
deeper understanding — never to shock or sensationalize.

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The Law Office of Julian Johnson is a Chicago-based civil rights firm dedicated to
seeking justice for those who have been wronged. We represent victims of police
misconduct, personal injury, and wrongful death. But this channel is about more than
just legal cases — it’s about history. It’s about truth. It’s about telling the stories of Black
life in America — especially the lives history tried to bury and the law refused to protect.

Through these videos, our firm is committed to helping the public understand the deeper
patterns of racial injustice — exposing legal abandonment, confronting the harms Black
communities have endured, and preserving memory through storytelling. Because
justice isn’t only about what happens in the courtroom. It’s also about what we choose
to remember.

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The Memory Justice Project is a research and storytelling initiative led by civil rights attorney Julian Johnson — committed to honoring those who lived and died in injustice, the ones history tried to bury and the law abandoned.

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[DSTCapricorn]

These stories, as sad and heinous as they are, are so valuable. It gives the world and us black folks the opportunity to learn about our ancestors who didn't get as much attention put on their stories as some of the others that we know so well and love (Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, etc.) Our history is so valuable, and although majority of these stories end in tragedy, they still serve as teaching tools for us. No matter how much adversity and racism we face as a people, we are still capable of accomplishing great things. Please continue to post these stories. They give the phrase "Say their name" a whole new meaning.

[sasbridgecloserstudent]

There is so much black history to learn. So many black people who fought against injustice that we do not hear about. Thank you.

[Renee_]

I’m a Black ER RN in and from Chicago. I’d never heard of Ms. Viola. Sad thing is, nursing is STILL a fairly racist occupation.

[Luci-Cate]

Thank You Attorney Johnson! I am 55 years old, raised in rural North Carolina (Caswell County) and have NEVER heard of this Ancestor! Blessings unto you and yours and THANK YOU for ALL OF THE HARD WORK. Again, thank you Sir!!

[jamesslade]

The hate for the Greatest people who built this country is absolutely appalling

[wendy-SM]

No doubt this land is brimming with the shed blood of innocents...

[cmarev]

They holler, have your own, and build yourself up, but when you do and it's successful they find a way to destroy it. They don't want you to have your own. They want you bound to them

[ClethaSilas]

Hatred is as a cancer! Eating away at the moral fibers of any being. Thank you nurse, humanitaian, entreprenuer & General Viola Edwards! Thanks you leaving this daunting legacy for many others to learn about. Rest in Peac valiant Viola Edwards. Shalom.

[TDS]

This country didn't start out right, and it's never going to be right. 💯👊🏽💥

[bobbybrownsr.]

I’ve never heard of most of the history that you share, but I humbly thank you for all that you do to keep enlightening us..ESPECIALLY since the banning of books is so common.This history should continue being told

[jasonhudson]

This information should be shared to everyone

[Flysocietybc]

This story was intriguing honestly deserves a movie .. thank you for your in depth attention to detail on this history that we may have missed .

[robstwocentz]

Wow. I'm in nursing school now. They'll never speak of her. So sad

[GloriaCulberson]

Thanks for sharing, Mrs. Viola Edward's story, I wished she could've denied them entry, just as the other hospital denied our people.

[carolynmoore]

I'm from Pensacola Florida and I've never heard this story. Thank you for sharing

[RoseDavis-wg]

She was treated unjustly. Plus being educated blk woman.Hated.

[BangitDangit]

This an amazing story. I keep saying the Jim Crow laws still exist on Federal books. Which needs to be seriously challenged

[athenahelene]

You should have a museum exhibit of all the men, women, and children who were mistreated during the Jim Crow era. Or write about them in several volumes.

[bettyhoward]

This is so informative! They have hidden and taken so much from us!

[terrinceautry]

Another tale of unsung heroism and tragedy against our folk here in 'Murikkka. Thank you for this history, brother.