Director of Nursing Services Maggie Racioppo's essay about vintage cape

In an essay about a vintage nurse’s cape and the remarkable woman who once wore it locally, Maggie Racioppo, Director of Nursing Services for the White Plains City School District, captures the enduring spirit of the profession, one defined not only by clinical expertise, but by humanity, resilience and a lifelong commitment to others.

The Nursing Cape

By Maggie Racioppo

Sometimes a gift arrives quietly, and only later do you realize it carries a story far bigger than itself.

Not long ago, a dear friend sent me a message filled with excitement — she had just won an auction. Attached was a photo of a nursing cape. Knowing my deep appreciation for nursing history (a passion my friends kindly indulge and often encourage), she knew immediately it belonged with me. And she was right; this was no ordinary gift.

The cape was stunning. Made of rich blue wool, it carried a weight that felt almost ceremonial, lined with a heavy, regal fabric. Inside, a gold-embroidered label bore the manufacturer’s name and, more intriguingly, the initials of the nurse who once wore it. These capes, popular from the 1920s through the 1950s, were more than garments, they were symbols of duty, dignity, and identity. When graduate nurses stepped out into the community wearing them, the message was unmistakable, someone had come to care, to comfort, to heal. To anyone who saw that flowing blue, it meant help had arrived. Holding it, I couldn’t help but wonder: Who was she? What life had she lived?

The story began to unfold in the most unexpected way.

When my friend went to pick up the cape, the daughter of its original owner happened to be there. She shared that the cape had belonged to her mother. In passing, my friend mentioned that it was destined for a school nurse in the White Plains School District. The daughter paused, visibly surprised. As it turned out, her mother had attended White Plains High School and had spent many years working as a school nurse in the very same district. What felt like coincidence quickly began to feel like something more meaningful, like the cape was finding its way home.

There was a shared sense of comfort in knowing it would continue its journey with another school nurse. In the excitement of the moment, however, one detail slipped away — her name. Before leaving, my friend offered her phone number, asking if the daughter might share a photograph of her mother in her uniform.

The next day, a message arrived. With it came not just a photograph, but the story behind the cape.

Her name was Tiziana Mambelli Troilo.

She graduated from White Plains High School in 1942 and began her career as a lab technician before attending Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital School of Nursing, at a time when hospital-based training was the standard path into the profession. Tiziana went on to become a devoted school nurse, serving generations of students at Ridgeway Avenue and Eastview schools. Her career later extended to Solomon Schechter and the Preston School.

She wore her nursing cape every day, never out of obligation, but as a symbol of pride. It represented not only her profession, but her identity, her discipline, and her commitment to care.

What makes her story even more remarkable is what she pursued alongside her work. While raising a family and maintaining a full-time career, Tiziana continued her education at NYU, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science. Her commitment to growth reflected a deeper truth about who she was — not just a nurse by profession, but by calling.

She was known for her quiet strength, her compassion, and her unwavering dedication to the children in her care, especially those who needed her most. The sickest, the most vulnerable, the ones who required patience and grit — she showed up for them all.

Today, at 101 years old, Tiziana lives in an assisted living facility in Greenwich, Connecticut. And even now, her story doesn’t end with rest. She continues, in her own way, to care for those around her.

Once a nurse, always a nurse.

Because nursing is never just a career, it is a way of being, a thread of compassion, resilience, and humanity woven so deeply into a person that it becomes part of who they are.

I have had the privilege of visiting Tiziana a few times at her residence, and what I received went far beyond the gift of a beautiful cape. In those moments, I gained insight into her rich nursing history, her experiences, and her spirit — and, most meaningfully, I gained a new friend.

The nurses of the past paved the way for the nurses of today. And as we carry their stories forward, we hope the future brings not only the beautiful traditions and deep compassion of those who came before us, but also a bright and inspiring path for the nurses of the present and the next generation of nurses to come.