Dr. Muriel Majorie Petioni (Finding Aid)

Dr. Muriel Majorie Petioni

1914 -

Favorite Color: Dark red

Favorite Food: Rice

Favorite Time of Year: Spring

Favorite Vacation Spot: The Caribbean

Interview Length: 173 minutes

Interview Date(s): May 18, 2001

Interview Location(s): New York, New York

Abstract

Dr. Muriel Petioni talks about her parents' background in Trinidad and details the origin of her surname. She then discusses at length her father's personality and penchant for being resourceful with money. Dr. Petioni talks about her father's career in journalism, and his political activism that forced the family to emigrate from Trinidad to the United States. Lastly Dr. Petioni discusses her father's association with Marcus Garvey, and his career change from journalism to medicine. Dr. Muriel Petioni recalls her father's decision to attend Howard University College of Medicine. She then details family life and the living conditions in Harlem while her father was away at school. Dr. Petioni talks about her formal education as a child and talks about her father's networking skills with other physicians in Harlem. She then talks about career opportunities for women in the 1930s. Lastly, Dr. Petioni discusses the friction between African Americans and black West Indians that exists in the United States. Dr. Muriel Petioni talks about her early aspirations to follow in her father's footsteps as a physician. She then talks about her experiences at Howard University Medical College, and describes the environment at Harlem Hospital in the 1930s, where she did her internship. Lastly, Dr. Petioni then describes the various medical positions she held at the urging of her father, and briefly talks about her subsequent marriage. Dr. Petioni talks about her introvertedness and her small circle of friends and family in Harlem. She then describes her marriage, her move to Chicago and her 5-year hiatus from the medical field. Dr. Petioni describes her father's handling of her return to Harlem to continue practicing medicine. She then recalls the deaths of her siblings and her father. Lastly, Dr. Petioni details the establishment of her medical career on its own merits. Dr. Muriel Petioni recounts her father's accolades as a businessman and political activist. She then details her efforts to organize black female physicians. Dr. Petioni then discussses her activities with the Coalition of 100 Black Women. Lastly, she reflects on her lengthy medical career. Dr. Muriel Petioni recalls her support network and the comments on the way Caribbean women are raised and nurtured career-wise. She then talks about the West Indian and professional organizations she is involved in. Dr. Petioni then discusses her plans for the future. Lastly, Dr. Petioni comments on the historical significance of Harlem Hospital Center to the black community in the past and in the present day. Dr. Muriel Petioni contemplates what her legacy might be and whether she would continue to encourage blacks to enter the medical profession.

36 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)