I’ve heard many stories about my family history. I knew that in the mid-1800s, August Buschmann arrived in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA from Prussia, Germany, and fought in the American Civil War. I knew that he and his wife had many children. Some of his children started a grocery store and some started a company that made overalls and garments for working men. I knew that a few different buildings in downtown Indianapolis were built for both businesses—or at least that is how I knew it to be.
I uncovered my connection to Sigma Theta Tau when a good friend of mine asked me about the William Buschmann Block, a historic commercial building built in 1870 in downtown Indianapolis. I couldn’t tell him if it originally housed the grocery store or the clothing factory. He wasn’t satisfied with this answer and started researching my family tree. He gave me a manila folder of printed articles and two handwritten family trees, and I started to slowly unravel the Buschmann history. The stories of the grocers and overall makers were indeed true. I found out that the William Buschmann & Co Grocers (my great grandfather’s business) remained open until the 1920s despite having gone through bankruptcy at the turn of the century. Legend has it that my great-grandfather and great-uncle were letting too many customers have too much credit; they were being too nice. That is a Buschmann trait if I have ever heard one.
There was a lot to unpack within this manila folder, like a fascinating article that dove into my grandfather’s cousin’s side of the family. While reading this article, I discovered my connection to Sigma. It directed me to another article about Dorothy Buschmann being the “seventh founding star” of Sigma.
Dorothy graduated from the IU Training School for Nurses in 1919, and because she was involved with Greek life while at IU, Sigma’s founders turned to her for help with something she was very familiar with—constitutions and bylaws. Once written, Dorothy turned to her husband, Charles Severin Buschmann, who was a lawyer and my grandfather’s cousin. The documents needed to be filed, but there was no money for legal fees, so Charles did the work for Sigma to charter and become official for free. When Sigma was approved by the Indiana Secretary of State on 5 October 1922, Sigma’s founders made Dorothy an honorary member.
Eventually, Sigma’s founders moved away from Indianapolis, and Dorothy stepped up to serve as Sigma’s president from 1927 to 1934. Under her leadership, she persuaded Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA to form Sigma’s second chapter and began the tradition of the biennial convention with the first in Indianapolis in 1929. By the time she resigned in 1934, Sigma boasted six chapters.
I thought I was alone in my quest of being a healthcare worker, as no one in my family —to my knowledge—has ever been in the healthcare field. I was in awe when I discovered that a family member helped start Sigma, but that was just the beginning of her nursing journey. As I read more about Dorothy Buschmann, it was quite obvious that she was an exceptional and caring woman who was very determined to help those in need. She was described as a leader who gave future generations hope. A natural helper, whose prominent spirit and action traveled through many organizations:
- In 1941, she became the first full-time director at the United Service Organizations of Indianapolis. She refurbished the old baggage room at Union Station to plan programs and serve the needs of soldiers, sailors, and marines in transit at the Service Men's Center (World War II and Korean War).
- She was the executive secretary of the Marion County Cancer Society (now called the Little Red Door Cancer Agency), a member of the Girl Scouts Council in Indianapolis, and an attendee of a 1936 international meeting of handicapped Girl Scouts in London.
- She was an active worker for the Association of Public Health Nurses.
- She was a chairman of the volunteer bureau of the Council of Social Agencies (spearheaded a dance committee for girls at Camp Atterbury, Wakeman Hospital, and Fort Benjamin Harrison, and staffed five recreation centers).
- She was secretary of the volunteer section of the Indiana Conference on Social Work.
- She was a member of the League of Women Voters.
- She was a member of the mayor's advisory committee for recreation, which led her to being the advisor to the development of Rhodius Park in Indianapolis.
At Dorothy's funeral, she was also described as a crusader. In lieu of flowers, her casket was draped with a cloth embroidered with the Crusader's Cross to symbolize her outstanding and relentless service to humanity.
After learning about Dorothy Buschmann, I realized that I am graduating nursing school and joining Sigma exactly 100 years after its founding. I thought that this discovery and the timing were so special. I feel honored and humbled. I am excited to be a member of Sigma and to continue my nursing knowledge and growth within a distinguished nursing community. I vow to continue her commitment to serving those in need, and with the help of Sigma, I will be able to connect with other nurses to continue the spirit of Dorothy Buschmann.
Even though Dorothy was not part of the original “six stars,” her commitment and service were a necessity to the success of Sigma. I wholeheartedly agree that Dorothy's virtues of love, honor, and courage are the foundation of nursing. I took a giant leap of faith to go back to nursing school because I want to provide an honorable service to others. I want to show love and compassion, I want to honor people for their individualism, and I have the courage to face adversities.
Nursing school has provided me the opportunity to see how I may fit in the nursing world. I am still uncertain of my future nursing path, but I know that my foundation of love, honor, and courage will guide me. As I approach graduation, I am inspired by Dorothy's words, “In the cause of humanity, any service idea that could be dreamed, must be attempted.” She followed her truth, and I hope to do the same.
Sarah Buschmann is a member of Sigma’s Omega Chapter at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.