A
"Healing" Spirit Ensures Scholarships for Future Nurses
LaVerne Aldridge knows all too well life does not always follow
the intended path.
As
a young adult, Aldridge had dreams of becoming a nurse. As a
student at Hillcrest Hospital and Baylor University she was
on a path to fulfill her dream.
In
1949, a decision to marry halfway through her final year proved
to be a life-changing decision. After leaving school for a brief
period, Laverne soon found that returning would not be easy.
In fact, nursing students were not allowed to be married and
attend school at that time.
"In
the late 1940's woman rarely worked outside the home,"
stated Aldridge. "During that time you were forced to choose
work or family."
So,
with a heavy heart, Aldridge never returned to nursing school
and instead focused on her marriage and starting a family.
Although
she never completed nursing school, LaVerne went on to have
a successful family-planning clinic and worked as a community
mental health coordinator in alcohol abuse counseling.
But, LaVerne's passion for nursing never diminished.
In
1995, Robert's father, Tom Aldridge, passed away and bequeathed
his estate to establish The Tom and Marye Kate Aldridge Charitable
and Educational Foundation.
Robert
Aldridge, current chairman, understood the impact of his father's
bequest.
"My
father gave money from his estate to further advance the citizens
of Oklahoma through a variety of organizations, but specifically
funded the establishment of a charitable and educational foundation,"
recalls Robert.
Through
the foundation, the LaVerne Aldridge Nursing Scholarship was
established at OSU-OKC in 1999 to provide a means for dedicated
nursing students to overcome adverse circumstances, obtain a
degree and fulfill their dreams.
"We
have had a very diverse group of recipients over the past seven
years," remarks Robert. "Being able to give back is
tremendously rewarding and the recipients become part of our
family."
