Mary Eliza Mahoney, Registered Nurse
After working fifteen years as a cook, custodian, washerwoman and a nursing assistant at
The New England Hospital for Women and Children in Boston, she finally became a student there. She was thirty-three at the time.
Mary Eliza Mahoney was one of only four who successfully completed this program after sixteen months of disciplined and rigorous training. That is impressive when you realize there were forty-two in the program initially.
Although a graduate she was not allowed to work in hospitals because they wouldn't hire Black nurses. While she could have allowed discouragement to be a part of her life, she instead worked faithfully as a private duty nurse for over thirty years. She ended her nursing career as the Director of an orphanage in New York. Mary was a single woman.
A significant thing to note is that in 1896 she became one of the original members of the Associated Alumnae of the United States and Canada (later known as the American Nurses Association or ANA). Heretofore this was a predominately white organization. She helped found the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN) in 1908. The goal of this organization was to fight prejudice in the nursing field.
Although she never lived to see it come to fruition, an honor was bestowed on her after her death. It was the Mary Mahoney Medal that was developed in 1936. This award is given every two years to those who help improve nursing jobs for Black Americans.
Although the NACGN was dissolved in 1951 the ANA still rewards this special tribute.
Fifty years after her death, she was rightfully inducted into the Nursing Hall of Fame.
She lived by the creed, "Do your best despite problems". I appreciate the tenacity in which she lived her life. Her success in the field of nursing was exemplary, even against strong opposition.
Mary Eliza Mahoney died on January 4, 1926.
SOURCE:
Women with a Message Game. Media Materials. 1988 Copyright. Baltimore, MD.
http://www.distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/mahoney-me.html
Published by Lee Hansen
I am a woman who enjoys the simple things in life. My parents raised 10 children. I have an Associate Degree in Medical Office Assisting as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Education. View profile
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