Commemorative grave marker honors Anne Penland

Press release from Edward Buncombe Daughters of American Revolution: 

At Asheville’s Riverside Cemetery, on a frigid January afternoon, years of research and purpose were cumulated in the dedication of a DAR Commemorative Grave Marker honoring Asheville native Anne Penland for her service in WWI.  Anne Penland was born in Asheville on January 22, 1885.  During WWI, American nurses were recruited by the British government.   Previously women were thought to be delicate and unsuitable for battlefield assignments.  This brutal war saw butchery on the battlefield.  The science of anesthesiology was in its infancy.  A critical shortage existed of field doctors who performed both surgery and anesthesia.  Anne Penland was the first nurse anesthetist in battle at Passchendaele and her demonstration of efficiency in the administration of anesthetics opened the door for women to serve in this valiant field.

The Edward Buncombe Daughters of the American Revolution are proud that Anne Penland was a member of our chapter from 1915-1974.  In 2017, led by our historian and researcher Luann Nelson, we worked tirelessly to have a North Carolina state highway historical maker placed in Anne Penland’s honor in front of Pack Library.  This January 2020, along with the Penland-Bailey Family Foundation we are proud to place the commemorative grave marker of one of Asheville’s shining stars.

We thank Western Carolina University nursing students and Director Ian Hewer, Charles George VA Medical Center Larry Fowler, Western NC Archives Jeff Fuchs and Heather South, Western NC Historical Assoc Anne Chesky Smith, Penland cousins Derrick Bailey, Al Chrismon, Alicia Swearingen, AC Reynolds and Asheville High color guards  and trumpeter Ethan Revere, Central Methodist Church Patrick Neitzey, and our NC Representatives Susan Fisher and John Ager for their support at this dedication.