I enjoy reading about women’s history and when I came across the description of Daughters of the Islands, I instantly knew I want to read it as soon as possible.

Tom Olson interviewed six women who shaped the nursing profession in Hawai’i in the 20th century and this book honours their stories. Please give this a read if you get the chance to learn the details about their lives and how they each shaped nursing in their communities and beyond. My summary is kept very high-level to avoid spoilers:

1. Chiyo Miyabara’s story is one of endurance, perseverance and bravery. Chiyo started the nursing program just as the war started and no one could have prepared any of them for what was coming next. The nurse duties were to care for the patients, so that’s what they all aimed to do best in those times.
2. Dr Rosie Kim Chang was a pioneer. She worked hard, learned to expand her knowledge and constantly overcamw new challenges. Tom Olson recognises that “she had defied the odds at every turn”.
3. Dr Genevieve Kinney (Aunty Gennie) had a different upbringing but despite the challenges she persevered in life and went on to experience many adventures.
4. Eleanor Silva Sterling knew from a young age that nursing was her calling. Despite the life obstacles she had to overcome, she pursued her nursing studies and followed her passion.
5. Mrs. Josephine Gray Abaya Cortezan Duvauchelle (“Jo”) always knew what she wanted and worked hard to make it happen. Some may say that she followed into her mother’s footsteps but if you read about her journey, you will agree with me when I say that she carved her own path. She overcame challenges, she studied and she was an exceptional nurse that passed on her knowledge to others and thought the next generation of nurses.
6. Mrs. Faith Hisako Yonamine Nakano was known as the “gold standard”. Throughout her life, she was humble, hard working and extended a helping hand to everyone who needed it.

In the Epilogue, Tom Olson shares one of the lessons learned from writing the Daughters of the Islands d and says: “ I remember how these remarkable women thought me something simple and profound: that every experience leaves its mark. Every kindness, every sorrow, every unseen act of courage weaves itself into the lives around us, whether or not we ever know it.”

What I really enjoyed while reading this was the interviewing style, the questions asked never switched the narrative direction, the women were able to share as much as they wanted, following a natural flow the same way as the memories were being brought to the surface. Tom Olson gave them the space they needed to tell their stories.

In addition, I learned a lot about the 20th century in that region, about traditions, about cultural differences and about a part of world history I never knew about.

I am deeply touched by their stories and I am grateful to have read about their lives, accomplishments and history.

As I read, I thought who do I wish was reading along & hearing this history? Initially I thought of our practicing physicians or clinicians, but the majority now share our frustration with insurance companies in the US.

Then I got it…this book should be mandatory from the top-level insurance CEO right down to the customer care (?) agent who takes your call/chat to the agent that tries to sell you coverage. Wishful thinking I know…

The author spoke at length with six women who heard all through their early career when authority figures told them the endless list of things that they were NOT. There wasn’t any Title VII of 1964 or Title IX of 1972 to combat these obstacles & even now these protections fail.

Instead? They moved obstacles themselves through excelling from the bottom rung on the ladder of nursing right up to leadership roles & advanced degrees. In their early years, hospital-trained diploma nurses controlled the field. Here the six were met with you are too brown, not the proper socioeconomic class/faith, too old/young or too ethnic which is amusing since the Hawaiian Islands are made up of many civilizations.

Persistence & listening to the public they desperately wished to care for & serve was what was the bridge to endless opportunities. It should be noted how many decades this took, also. It also didn’t take place on just the Hawaiian Islands. Travel across oceans & the vast, unknown US of long ago had to take place. At the time of the interviews, these women were facing the last years of their lives & their stories of success weren’t quick fixes.

By the end of these stellar careers, the obstacles were far less & all levels of nursing were embraced & encouraged. Just as they learned, they taught & they met each student with what they needed just like the public they treated.

A familiarity with the Hawaiian Islands or their cultures is not necessary to the pleasure of this read. I think the pages come alive with the local flora, fauna & welcoming spirit of the many generations, nations & cultures.

I thank NetGalley, Koehlerbooks Publishing & the author (Tom Olson w/ Ming-Bao Yue) for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair & honest review.