WSSU mourns the loss of nursing pioneer Gwendolyn Andrews
Winston-Salem State University is deeply saddened by the passing of Mrs. Gwendolyn Andrews, a trailblazer in nursing and education. She passed away on March 10, 2025.
Andrews dedicated 40 years to the nursing profession, leaving a lasting impact on healthcare and education. She was the first nursing instructor at Winston-Salem Teachers College (now WSSU) when the nursing program began in 1953 with 33 students. She also served as Acting Dean of Nursing, shaping the future of nursing education.
In 2018, WSSU honored Andrews as a healthcare legend, which is an annual recognition program that honors remarkable individuals and groups who have significantly improved the health and wellness of East Winston-Salem residents.
A pioneer in leadership, Andrews was the first African American and the first nurse to serve on the Board of Directors of United Way in Forsyth County. She later joined North Carolina Baptist Hospital, where she broke barriers as the first African American Vice President of Nursing, serving until her retirement in 1990.
Her contributions were recognized in 2007 when she received the NAACP Medical Local Pioneer Award for her courage in advocating for herself and others while facing discrimination and adversity.
Born in Mobile, Ala., on September 2, 1932, she is survived by two children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
