By Carole Brown, RN, MHR

(During Black History month, we would like to celebrate the life and accomplishments of an  African American who has made a significant contribution in the field of medicine.  We will not discuss all who have been significant in this field for they are many.  May the achievements of others be an inspiration to those who aspire to help their fellow man.)

         Paving the way for other African Americans, Mary Eliza Mahoney was the first black woman to become a nurse in the United States.

         Born in 1845, Mary Mahoney became interested in nursing during her teen  years.  At age 18 she began working at the New England Hospital for women and children where she was a maid, cook and cleaning woman for 15 years.

         At age 33, Mary Mahoney was accepted as a student nurse at the New England hospital.  Upon completing her training, Mary Mahoney was one of four remaining students to graduate from the nursing program out of a class of 40 original students.

         We can only imagine the trials this lone black woman had to face, but she kept sight of her goal and her tenacity afforded her a successful nursing career.

         Mahoney traveled throughout the Eastern Seaboard states as a private care nurse.  Her reputation for efficiency grew resulting in her Alma Mata admitting other black women to the nursing program.

         Mary Mahoney was cofounder of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN).  Because of her strong religious background she served as chaplain for the organization.  Mahoney  became one of the first African-American nurses to join the Nurses Association Alumnae of the United States and Canada, a predominately white organization now known as the American Nurses Association.

         She was credited an award for racial integration in nursing and headed the Howard Orphan Asylum for black children in Long Island.

         During her later years, Mary Mahoney supported the women’s suffrage movement and became one of the first African-American women in Boston to vote.

         Mary Mahoney died in 1926.  Fifty years after her death, she was inducted into the Nursing Hall of Fame.

         During Black History Month we celebrate the life and contributions to medicine of Mary Eliza Mahoney.  This remarkable woman dedicated her life to the health and welfare of others.  Her strong will and determination has made it possible for African American women and men to become contributing members of the medical community.