Mary Eliza Mahoney was the first African American nurse to graduate from nursing school in the United States. She graduated from the New England Hospital for Women and Children in 1879. Throughout her career, she advocated for better treatment of nurses and helped establish nursing associations that supported black nurses. She was also a supporter of women's suffrage. Mahoney paved the way for other African American women to enter the nursing profession.

1. Mary Eliza Mahoney By Teresa M. Sims June 30, 1999 NU 602 Unit 2 Assignment Created for an assignment in the MSN program at the University of North Alabama 1

2. Mary Eliza Mahoney, R.N.1845 – 1926 2

3. Mary Mahoney was an African-American who was born free on May 7, 1845 in Dorchester, Massachusetts. She became interested in becoming a nurse as a teenager. Her parents were Charles and Mary Mahoney of Roxbury. Mary decided she would not go into domestic work and began to work at the hospital. 3

4. Mary worked for the New England Hospital for Women and Children as a cook, janitor, washerwoman and an unofficial nurse’s assistant until she decided in to enroll in the nursing program at the hospital. She thirty-three years old when she was accepted into the hospitals nursing program. 4

5. Mary entered the program which required her to work 16 hours a day 7 days a week. She was required to do the washing and ironing, Cleaning and scrubbing at the facility. At this time period this was what was expected of the nurses in training. She received her diploma in 1879. 5

6. Mary entered the program with forty-two others and was one of four who graduated. She performed highly in the program which helped pave the way for other African-American women to enter the profession. She was known to give expert care to the sick. 6

7. Mary left the hospital after receiving her diploma to become a private duty nurse. Where she traveled from home to home providing care. She promoted the idea of nurses providing nursing care to the sick and not spending their time doing chores around the house 7

8. In 1896 she became one of the few black members of the American Nursing Association (ANA). In 1908 she helped cofound and became an active member of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses. She gave the opening address at the organizations first convention and in 1911 she served as the chaplain. 8

9. She was a major advocate in the women's suffrage and was believed to be first in line to register to vote in Boston in 1921 after the 19th Amendment was passed. She remained a big supporter not only to the advancements of blacks but also the advancement of women. 9

10. In 1923 Mary was still practicing as a nurse when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She continued to provide nursing care until her death in 1926. 10

11. In 1936 the National Association of colored Graduate Nurses set up an award called the Mary Mahoney Medal in honor of her contributions to the advancement of her race. In 1951 the NACGN merged with the American Nursing Association. In 1976 she was inducted into the Nursing Hall of Fame. In 1993 she was inducted into the National Women Hall of Fame. 11

12. Mary Eliza Mahoney realized there was a need for black nurses to work together as a team to improve the status of African-Americans in the nursing profession. She was able to make a difference in this area and laid the foundation for the advancements of blacks in the nursing career field. She was admired and respected by the black and white community for contributions to the nursing and women’s suffrage movements. 12

13. Mahoney was responsible for nurses to be received at the white house by President Warren G. Harding. She is noted as being the inspiration to thousands of men and women of color in the nursing profession. 13

14. Reference National Women’s Hall of Fame. ( unknown). Women of the hall: Mary Mahoney. Retrieved June 25, 2009 from http://www.greatwomen.org/women.php?action=viewone&id=103 Bridgewater State College. (2004). Expect More. Achieve More. Retrieved June 25, 2009 from http://www.bridgew.edu/HOBA/Mahoney.cfm Essortment.com. (2009). Mary Eliza Mahoney: first African-American graduate nurse. Retrieved June 25,2009 from http://www.essortment.com/all/maryelizamahon_rzuc.htm 14