South Dallas History “The Economic Engine” Forest Avenue Hospital

French L. Cowens Series One by Dr. J. Ester Davis I have several faded files on Forest Avenue Hospital and have had them for years.  One of those files is marked ‘…the economy engine of South Dallas.’ Forest Avenue Hospital opened on ole Forest Avenue (nee MLK Blvd.)in South Dallas in 1964. The urgency of the rise to fame was immediate, highly anticipated, famously praised by black communities far and wide. There was no room for parades, celebrations or untimed speeches.  But it opened with three(3)black doctors, a Director of Pharmacy, an entrepreneur, all majors investors, a 65 bed hospital with waiting room, offices, a most in demand surgeon quarters and of course a pharmacy. It is remembered that tons of mail came in daily for employment.      Mrs. French L. Cowans was the first African American woman in the State of Texas to practice pharmacy, so we will start this series with her. Mrs. Cowans was born November 9, 1928 in Gladewater, Texas, but grew up in old North Central Dallas.  As a little girl she would walk to church on Sundays by herself to St. John’s Baptist Church. On her way to church she caught the attention of Sisters...