Dr. Bernardine Mays Lacey: Leading the Way

Dr. Ashley Graham-Perel’s documentary Dr. Bernardine Mays Lacey: Leading the Way is a heartfelt and inspiring tribute to one of nursing’s most influential and trailblazing leaders. Running just over twenty-five minutes, the film blends archival photos, narrative voice-over, personal reflection, and historical context to highlight the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Dr. Bernardine Lacey, a pioneering nurse educator, administrator, and advocate for equity and social justice.The central purpose of this video is to honor and preserve the legacy of Dr. Lacey by introducing audiences to her contributions in academic-nursing leadership, her advocacy for marginalized populations, and her resolute efforts to confront institutional racism within the profession. Produced shortly after her passing, the film functions as both historical narrative and educational tool. It is clearly designed for nursing students, educators, and practitioners, and it succeeds in its aim to inspire and inform. There is no attempt to present a comprehensive academic history; instead, the documentary focuses on elevating Dr. Lacey’s voice and influence in a way that is accessible, poignant, and affirming. Its emotional and thematic focus on racial justice, perseverance, and visionary leadership makes a compelling case for Dr. Lacey’s rightful place in the canon of American nursing history.The film is organized around key milestones in Dr. Lacey’s personal and professional life. These include her early years as a nurse, her historic appointment as the founding director of the School of Nursing at Western Michigan University, and her broader national contributions to nursing education and health policy. The narrative is supported by archival imagery, direct quotes, and reflections from Dr. Graham-Perel that lend authenticity and emotional resonance to the storytelling. Multimedia elements are cohesive and purposefully curated. The images and narrative flow are well paced and emotionally engaging, with a balance of reverence and critical reflection. Importantly, the film addresses Dr. Lacey’s experiences with racism in health care and education—highlighting not only her resilience but also the structural barriers she worked to dismantle.Visually, the film is aesthetically pleasing and emotionally compelling. Archival photographs are high resolution and timed effectively with narration. The music is appropriately subtle, underscoring rather than distracting from the message. The documentary’s tone is respectful and deeply moving—qualities that enhance its impact on both academic and general audiences. As a YouTube-based resource, the video is highly accessible, requiring only an internet connection and a device capable of streaming video. The platform allows for easy sharing, embedding in course-management systems, and classroom projection. Navigation is straightforward, with YouTube’s standard playback controls enabling viewers to pause, replay, or skip to specific sections as needed.Pedagogically, the film offers strong value. At Helene Fuld College of Nursing, it has been successfully integrated into a health-policy course as part of a discussion-board assignment titled “An Oral History Interview with Bernardine Lacey.” Students are asked to read Lewenson and Graham-Perel’s oral-history interview1 and engage in structured online discussions reflecting on Dr. Lacey’s experiences with racism, perseverance, and leadership. Prompts invite students to draw connections between Dr. Lacey’s account and contemporary issues in health equity, inclusivity in nursing, and their own lived experiences with bias and discrimination. The dual use of the oral history and the video creates a rich, reflective learning environment that deepens students’ understanding of structural inequality, advocacy, and leadership in nursing. It not only encourages critical thinking but also fosters a sense of identity and purpose among nursing students who may see their own struggles reflected in Dr. Lacey’s journey.Though brief, the documentary is focused and effective. It introduces key themes of equity, historical memory, and professional resilience, while prompting questions about how nursing continues to confront or perpetuate injustice. One limitation is the lack of accompanying references or suggestions for further learning—elements that could strengthen its utility in academic settings. Still, this is a minor drawback in an otherwise impactful and focused work. The video’s contribution to contemporary nursing education is substantial. It not only preserves the legacy of a key historical figure, but it also sparks meaningful reflection on nursing’s evolving role in society. In a profession that continues to grapple with equity, representation, and justice, Dr. Lacey’s story offers an urgent reminder of what visionary leadership looks like—and what it costs.Dr. Bernardine Mays Lacey: Leading the Way is a powerful, emotionally resonant, and pedagogically rich resource that fills a notable gap in the historical record of nursing. It will be of particular interest to Nursing History Review readers engaged in teaching courses related to nursing leadership, health policy, racial justice, or nursing history. Its accessibility, brevity, and clarity make it ideal for use in classroom settings, discussion groups, or professional development workshops. Dr. Graham-Perel’s documentary not only honors Dr. Lacey, it challenges today’s nurses and students to embody her values of courage, compassion, and relentless pursuit of justice. It deserves wide viewing and thoughtful integration into nursing education.