Jane E. Mitchell

Jane Evelyn Watson Mitchell (1921 - November 13, 2004) was an American nurse. Mitchell was the first African-American to work as a nurse in Delaware. Mitchell went on to work as the director of nursing at the Delaware State Psychiatric Hospital. Mitchell was also a civil rights activist and volunteer.

Biography Mitchell was born in 1921 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania and grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. Mitchell wanted to come back to Delaware to work, but couldn't find employment. Instead, she worked at a Jewish hospital in Philadelphia.

In 1949, Dr. Mesrop A. Tarumianz who was looking for nurses with a background in psychology, hired Mitchell to come work for him at the Governor Bacon Health Center. After working at Bacon Health Center, she was transferred to the Delaware State Psychiatric Hospital in 1963. In 1969, she was appointed as director of nursing for the hospital. She continued to work as a volunteer for the Delaware State Board of Nursing after her retirement. Senator Joe Biden gave her eulogy at the funeral. in Delaware is named for both Mitchell and her husband.