Nursing schools didn't want "her kind"

 photo blossom-brown-1-600_zpsic7dvh7f.jpgBlossom Brown is a graduate of Mississippi University for Women, with a degree in public health, and a native of Jackson, MS. Having earned what she descibes as an "awesome GPA," nd wanting to be able to give back to her community, she applied to some nursing schools.

She received six rejections which she thinks were unfair.

People always say, 'You're going to confuse the patients,' or, 'We don't want your kind here.'

People were looking at that, and you need to be looking at my hard work and dedication that I put into that hard work.

--Blossom Brown

You see, Blossom Brown is a transgender woman.

The six rejections haven't stopped Brown from pursuing her dream to be a nurse and make a difference in her community.

I kind of want to bring our health to the forefront and say, 'Hey, if you're a (transgender) guy, you need a pap smear, and if you're a (transgender) woman, you need a prostate exam later in life.

--Brown

The story first was brought to the fore on "I am Cait." Then Caitlyn Jenner got in touch with Ellen De Genderes.

I don't own a nursing school, so I can't do that, but people like your story, so we want to give you $20,000.

--Ellen

Brown, originally from Mississippi, joined HRC’s All God’s Children campaign last year. The campaign aimed at strengthening the foundation of public support for LGBT Mississippians and aid in the passage of pro-equality legislation.

Brown says she will use the money to support herself through nursing school. She says since her appearance on Ellen has aired, she has been contacted by some nursing schools encouraging her to apply.

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...religious entities, but that's no reason for someone to be blocked from entering the profession of nursing.

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joe shikspack's picture

all of the state university systems in my area have nursing schools, some of them quite large. my part of the country is relatively liberal (compared to mississippi) and i'd imagine that she'd have no problem finding a school to accept her around here. entrance requirements are pretty steep, though. i think that the nursing program at the university near me requires a 3.0 average coming in and requires the student to maintain at least that average through the program.

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your series here, Robyn, there will always be room for them on the Front Page.

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mimi's picture

someone on the basis of gender. Thanks for posting this. I can't imagine she would be rejected in the DC metropolitan area at a nursing school.

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be illegal. But gender identity is not a protected status in most of the country.

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enhydra lutris's picture

And thans, of course, for this post.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --