The Look Book Goes to The Guyanese Nurses’ Ball

The Look Book Goes to the Guyanese Nurses’ Ball On a recent Saturday, dozens of nurses donned their gowns and danced at Antun’s banquet hall. Photo: Tesse Belle Dillman Photo: Tesse Belle Dillman Morlon Mitchell (pictured above)School nurse, East New York Do you get together with other Guyanese nurses often?We like to gather from different parts of the world. Some from England, some from here, some from St. Martin, Antigua, and Barbados. Some are in Canada, some retired. We just want to keep together. How has nursing changed since you started?The Nightingale Pledge is not being recognized. I began my training back home in Guyana in 1984 and moved to the United States in 1997. In our time, we were very strict where this was concerned in terms of dressing and professionalism. There’s no professionalism these days, even with dressing. Denise TaylorCaregiver, St. Albans Anita MangalRN, Queens VillageHow did you decide what to wear?My dress is from, I’m sorry to say, Shein. The reason I wore red is that I always carry a shawl that’s the Guyanese flag. The flag has red, green, and yellow in it, so it matched my outfit. Askia CummingsStudent, Queens Village Carla GeorgeRN, South Ozone Park Cornell FrankNursing assistant, Wilkes-Barre, PennsylvaniaI heard the dance floor was full all night. Did you partake?Yes, I love ballroom dancing because of my father — he would put me on his feet and we’d go step-by-step. At the age of 14 was the first time I went to a dance hall where myself and another brother danced to Saturday Night Fever. When it comes to music, I don’t sit down. Collin TaylorExport agent, St. Albans Evette RossNurse, Canarsie Neila WelcomeRetired nurse, Wales Yvonne MickleNurse, AlbanyWhat do you love about nursing?I love that when I’m finished with my patients, they must be satisfied. I must go home knowing I did my best. Even if they are dying, I like to see my patients looking good. I always tell them, “You’re sick. Your hair is not sick.” Audrey AdamsRetired RN, Cypress HillsDid you dance a lot while you were here?I danced so much because I really don’t go out a lot. Mostly just church on Sunday. I’m Pentecostal, and we do a lot of, as we would say, dancing with the Lord in church. WheneverI go to any occasion, I’m ready to dance. Jewel HaughtonRN, Toms River, New Jersey Violetta DrakesRN, New Brighton Noel ScotlandArmy staff sergeant, Wilkes-Barre, PennsylvaniaYou DJ’d tonight. What song gets people dancing?I would probably say “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” by Whitney Houston. Felicia AdamsRetired, Canarsie Shonette MurrayNurse, Woodhaven Hollis JackmanSenior child-care worker, Springfield GardensWhat are some ways Guyana and New York are similar?The partying. Meleck CummingsNurse manager, Queens Village Photographs by Tesse Belle Dillman The Look Book Goes to Liza! at 80 The Look Book Goes to Construction School The Look Book Goes to Dyke Prom See All The Look Book Goes to The Guyanese Nurses’ Ball Your product is saved! You’ll receive emails when your saved products go on sale. Manage preferences. Every product is independently selected by editors. Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission. Who Was the Man in 2B? Just How Far Will a Broker Go to Close a Deal? The Hyperflexible Theater And Its Limits Meet Me at the AI-Insurance-Startup Café Interior Motives Host Ben Mora Knows You by Your Stuff Just How Far Will a Broker Go to Close a Deal? Interior Motives Host Ben Mora Knows You by Your Stuff The Hyperflexible Theater And Its Limits Who Was the Man in 2B? Meet Me at the AI-Insurance-Startup Café