Monday Motivation with Susie King Taylor

Civil War Hero

Susie King Taylor was born into slavery and at the age seven, her owner allowed her to live with her grandmother in Savannah, Georgia. She went to two secret schools to learn to read and write. During the Civil War, Taylor worked as a nurse and teacher. Like most Civil War nurses, she did not go to school to learn to be a nurse. She learned on the job. She was also one of the few blacks who could read and write, so she taught free blacks and former slaves. She served the 33rd Regiment of the United States Colored Troops for more than three years, alongside her husband, Edward King, a sergeant in the regiment. Like many African American nurses, Taylor was never paid for her work as a nurse during the Civil War.

Susie King Taylor's Legacy

Susie King Taylor left a legacy of hard work and devotion to duty, no matter what the circumstances. She did not judge people by their color but by their actions and expected others to do the same. Her service was given purely out of love and desire to help her country and their citizens of her country.

“I gave my service willingly for four years and three months without receiving a dollar. I was glad, however, to be allowed to go with the regiment, to care for the sick and afflicted comrades.”