Ms. Mary Eliza Mahoney was born on May 7, 1845 in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the oldest of three children. At the age of 18, she decided that she wanted to pursue a career in nursing and she became the first professionally trained African American nurse in the United States.
Mahoney started her career off as a private duty nurse at the New England Hospital for Women and Children. However, it wasn't until 1878 that she was admitted into the school's nursing program which happened to be the first professional nursing program in the country. Mahoney graduated the following year as just one of four members of her class.
Mary Mahoney then became on of the first members of what's known today as the American Nurses Association shortly after graduating. She also was in strong support of the establishment of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses. In fact, in 1909, she actually delivered the welcome address at the groups first annual convention.
In 1911, Mahoney moved to Long Island, New York to continue her career. She served as a supervisor at the Howard Orphan Asylum for Black Children. She later moved back to Massachusetts.
Unfortunately, Mahoney, died in 1926 at the age of 80 due to breast cancer. However, because of her outstanding work and achievements, she was inducted into the A.N.A Hall of Fame in 1976.
Happy Black History Month!
Sources:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/partners/early/e_pioneers_mahoney.html
http://www.biography.com/people/mary-mahoney-41021#synopsis
http://www.nursingworld.org/MaryElizaMahoney
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