| Ludie Clay Andrews | |
| Birth Date: | 3 March 1874 |
| Birth Place: | Milledgeville, Georgia, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Resting Place: | South-View Cemetery Atlanta, Georgia |
| Nationality: | American |
Ludie Clay Andrews (March 3, 1874 – January 6, 1969) was an American nurse, stated to be a pioneer of nursing.
Andrews was born a proud Mulatto in 1874.[1] Andrews was born in Milledgeville, Georgia, where she graduated from Eddy High School. Shortly after, she decided to enter into nurse training at MacVicar Hospital at Spelman College in Atlanta, graduating in 1906. Spelman College later closed its nursing program in 1928.[2] [3]
Following graduation, Andrews was hired as Superintendent of Lula Plantation Hospital and Preparation School, an affiliate of the Atlanta School of Medicine. At Lula Grove Hospital, she was responsible for educating student nannies.[4] When Emory University merged with Lula Grove Hospital, Andrews became superintendent of the "colored" section at Grady Hospital. Because of her superior skills in organization and nursing, Dr. W. B. Summerall sought out her expertise to organize the Municipal Training School for Colored Nurses.
In 1909 the Georgia State Board of Nurse Examiners did not allow people of color to take the state licensing exam. Andrews began legal proceedings against the board to end this, and persisted for over 10 years. The board offered to license her alone as an "exceptional individual,"[5] but she refused unless all were allowed. She succeeded in her effort in 1920.[6]
In 1969, Andrews was tragically found dead after a house fire caused massive damage to her home. Her funeral was held at West Mitchell Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on a Friday afternoon, and she was buried at South-View Cemetery.[7]