Maude Callen

The Nurse Midwife Who Transformed the South

Discover the true story of Maude Callen, South Carolina’s pioneering Black nurse-midwife, who brought life-saving healthcare to the rural South from 1923 to 1990. When Callen arrived in Pineville by mule-drawn wagon, she left behind Savannah’s social elite for a world of poverty, disease, and loss. But she stayed—changing lives one birth, one patient, one home visit at a time.

In 1951, Life magazine featured her work in a moving photo essay by W. Eugene Smith, awakening the nation to her quiet heroism. Donations poured in, and Callen’s legacy grew.

Award-winning journalist Lindsay Street brings Callen’s story to life with rich historical detail, rare archival materials, and Callen’s own words. This inspiring biography is a must-read for lovers of Black history, Southern history, and untold stories of American medical pioneers.

Perfect for readers who cherish deeply human stories of perseverance, service, and courage.