![]() ![]() In 1850, the African American community in Boston was small, consisting of less than one percent of the population (Tortorice, 2017). This lesson proved to be very important throughout her life and is speculated to have driven her passion, profession, and political involvement in America (Ungvarsky, 2016). At a very early age, Mary learned from her parents the significance and importance of racial equality (Spring, 2017). Mary was the oldest of three kids and had a younger brother, Frank, and a younger sister, Ellen. Her parents were freed African American slaves who were originally from North Carolina, yet shortly after getting married they left and moved to Massachusetts to avoid prejudice and discrimination (Tortorice, 2017). Mary Eliza Mahoney was born to Charles and Mary Jane Mahoney in the Dorchester neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts on (Ungvarsky, 2016). Bennett, RN, MSN - Associate Professor - Utah Valley Universityįigure 1. Mahoney and urge you to keep her in mind during Black History Month when we honor the work of African-Americans who have overcome so much to make invaluable contributions to our society.Nursing Across the Ages by Sean N. Mahoney was further recognized with induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.Īll of us at NAHC admire the work and legacy of Ms. Mahoney became one of the first inductees into the ANA’s Hall of Fame. Although the NACGN was dissolved in 1950 after a successful fight for integration in nursing, the award lives on and is given now by the American Nurses Association. In 1936, the NACGN created the Mary Mahoney Award, in honor of her immense achievements, and to be given to nurses who promote integration in the field. Mahoney died in Massachusetts on January 4, 1926, at the age of 80. Constitution.Īfter fighting breast cancer for three years, Ms. Mahoney became one of the first women to register to vote in Boston after the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Mahoney finally retired, but she refused to stop working for the common good, becoming a leading champion of the right of women to vote. ![]() Mahoney became the director of the Howard Orphanage Asylum for black children in New York City, serving as the director from 1911 until 1912.Īfter 40 years in nursing, Ms. ![]() Mahoney gave the opening speech at the first national convention of the NACGN and the organization elected her the national chaplain and awarded her a lifetime membership.Īfter working decades as a private nurse, Ms. Mahoney helped found the Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (ACGN) with other early Black nursing pioneers. Mahoney suffered persistent racism from her white peers, so she began working toward building a nursing organization for Black women. In 1908, Ms. Mahoney joined the Nurses Associated Alumnae of the United States and Canada (NAAUSC), which later became the American Nurses Association (ANA). Families she worked with praised her work ethic and professionalism and she gained a reputation as a first class nurse, despite the persistent discrimination and racism she suffered. Mahoney chose to work in private care due to the ferocious discrimination against Blacks in public nursing. Mahoney traveled in New England and nearby states, working as a private care nurse, mostly to white new mothers and their newborn children. She is now recognized as the first Black registered nurse in the United States.Īfter graduating, Ms. Mahoney was one of only three to graduate. Mahoney began work for the New England Hospital for Women and Children at age 18, laboring 16 hours per day and seven days per week as a washerwoman, maid, and cook, until entering the Hospital’s school at age 33, seeking a nursing degree. owes much to her colossal efforts and achievement.Ī woman with a ferocious work ethic, Ms. Mahoney would spend much of the rest of her life assuring that she would never be unknown to history. Though the exact date of her birth is unknown, Ms. ![]() Mary Eliza Mahoney was born in Boston in 1845 to two freed slaves originally from North Carolina. During Black History Month, NAHC will be profiling various African-Americans who have made great contributions to American health care. ![]()
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