[1/6] Let us introduce you to this extraordinary African-American pioneer: Mary Eliza Mahoney (1845-1926). She was the first black professional nurse in America, & an active organizer among African-American nurses.
Today we salute this historical #frontliner 👇#BlackLivesMatter
Today we salute this historical #frontliner 👇#BlackLivesMatter
[2/6]She was born in Boston on 1845. At age 18, she decided to pursue a career in nursing, working at the progressive New England Hospital for Women and Children. Age 33, she was accepted in that hospital's nursing school, the first professional nursing program in the country.
[3/6]After graduation, Mahoney registered for work as a private-duty nurse. Families that employed Mahoney praised her calm and quiet efficiency. Her professionalism helped raise the status of all nurses.
[4/6] Mahoney was one of the first black members of the organization that later became the American Nurses Association (A.N.A.). When that later organization proved slow to admit black nurses, she supported the establishment of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses.
[5/6] She delivered the welcome address at that organization's first annual convention in 1909. In that speech, Mahoney recognized the inequalities in nursing education and called for a demonstration at the New England Hospital to have more African-American students admitted.
[6/6] She was deeply concerned with women's equality & she was a supporter of the movement to gain women the right to vote in the States. When that movement succeeded, she was among the first women in Boston to register to vote. She was76. #BlackLivesMatter #histmed #oldoptheatre
