Lillian Holland Harvey

Lillian Holland Harvey (1912–1994) was an American nurse, educator and doctor known for her contributions to medical education. She was an activist for the equal rights of African Americans. Harvey's accomplishments were achieved at a time in history when both African Americans and women faced extreme discrimination in academics and the medical field. She was seen as a leader in her community and led a successful professional and personal life.

Education and career Harvey was an African American woman born in the town of Holland, Virginia now known as Suffolk, Virginia. After graduating from high school she moved to New York to attend the Lincoln Hospital School of Nursing. Later, she re-enrolled at Columbia to receive her doctorate degree in 1966. and in 1948 became Dean. In 1949 she initiated a process of turning the diploma program into a baccalaureate program. It would be the first of its kind in the state of Alabama. She was also a 2001 Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame Inductee and the Alabama State Nurses' Association had an award set up in her name. Peterson ensured that black women were included in the Commission; however, Harvey was the only African American woman on the education committee. Harvey died in 1994 at the age of eighty-two, just two years after her husband.

Legacy Harvey's leadership impacted the lives of many young African Americans and her dedication as Dean of Nursing influenced progression towards equal opportunity in both education and civil rights.