M. Betty Brown was born Minnie Elizabeth Henry on Thanksgiving Day, 1917, in Corona, N.Y., to George F. and Ida Belle Coleman Henry. The eldest of eight children, George, William, James, Patrick, and Ida Henry, she is survived by sisters Lucille Watson and Juanita Jones.
At the age of 16, Betty took complete charge of her life, became self-supporting, and excelled scholastically. In 1940 she entered Harlem Hospital School of Nursing from which she graduated with honors. She then received a scholarship to Columbia University Teachers College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in public health nursing, and went on to receive a Master of Social Work degree at Howard University, and undertook postgraduate studies at Washington (St. Louis), Temple, and New York universities.
Betty served as an instructor of nursing and supervisor of pediatric nursing at Freedman’s Hospital (Washington, D.C.), teaching supervisor at Willard Parker Hospital in New York City, and staff nurse for the N.Y.C. Department of Health. She was director of the nursery school of the N. J. Council of Churches, and the Home Missions Division for Migrants; then, she was employed successively as Young Adult Program Director, YWCA, St. Louis; rehabilitation caseworker, Community Coordinating Center, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; medical caseworker, Riverside Hospital, N.Y. teacher of pre-nursing at the Clara Barton Vocational High School, N.Y.C.; and school social worker, N.Y.C. Board of Education. She “officially” retired in April 1980 and returned to D.C.
In New York she worked with the Minisink Children’s Center as consultant and board member; was on the board of the Addicts’ Rehabilitation Center; recruited for Big Brothers; was active in the CHUM (Community Hands United Mutually) program; and served as Big Sister for several children. Betty sponsored two young African children, one to come to America. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Betty has served as board member, chairman of Operation Teen Lift, and member of the Career Conference of that service-oriented organization.
Other community activities include member of the board and of the education and political action committees of the Coalition of 100 Black Women, life member, former board member and chairman of the health committee of the NAACP’ member of the Harlem Branch of the League of Women Voters; member of SEVAS (a peace group for international understanding); a volunteer at the Greater Harlem Nursing Home; leader and Council Ring member of Camps Farthest Out, Habitat for Humanity, Operation Crossroads-Africa, American Red Cross, and Children’s Hospital, Washington, D.C.
She also found time for hobbies—travel, fishing, nature study, dramatics, swimming and dancing. She was a member of the Golden Dolphins, the Energetics and the Funtastics, until a stroke in the ‘90’s, but it did not stop her from dancing at the annual dances of the Banneker Dance Club at Martins Crosswinds. She was delighted when several gentlemen would swing her around on the dance floor in her wheelchair, dancing her to the music. She also enjoyed writing, especially poetry.
Betty’s greatest interest was in her personal spiritual growth – which must have been tremendous, to generate so much caring. She was well-respected, well-loved, and will be sorely missed.
