Mary Mahoney: The First African-American Nurse Graduate

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Life in Boston Massachusetts in the 1900’s was extremely hard and strenuous. Automobiles were beginning to appear on the dirt roads, telephone service was starting to make its way into the homes of the fortunate few, while most of the of the population was still living without running water and electricity. Education was generally meant for the white children as African Americans schools had fewer books, poorly paid teachers and school buildings that were run down. Although the African Americans were no longer slaves, they were still treated as sub- citizens and fighting for equality. Through this enduring strife, there were pioneers that pathed the way for future minorities to live out their dream. One of those pioneers was Mary Eliza Mahoney, who became the first African American trained Nurse in the United States. Mary Eliza Mahoney was born in Boston Massachusetts to parents Charles and Mary Jane Stewart in 1845. Although it is unclear as to the actual date of her birth, it is known to some historians as being April 16th. Mary became interested in becoming a nurse as a teenage girl. This is desire lead her in the direction of New England Hospital for Women and Children in Roxy, Massachusetts. Even back in the 1900’s, when you started working for someone, you had to work your way up from the bottom, and that is just what Mary had to do. Some of her first responsibilities at the hospital included being a maid, a washerwoman and a cook. Then in 1863, was finally able to achieve a nursing assistant title. For the next 15 years, Mary worked hard at her position and truly valued the fact that she was helping people and at the same time, felt that she was truly a... ... middle of paper ... ...of a prestigious gravesite, but she felt it was her duty to properly honor her in her achievements. On September 1, 1984, she began to restore the gravesite and provide a place for all recipients of the Mary Mahoney Awards, historians, professional nurses, and generations of the Mahoney family, to be able to go and properly honor this selfless pioneer who pathed the way for many people that have inspir(Hines, n.d)ations, dreams and goals that they can grasp onto and pass it off to others for generations to come. References Brieske, J. (2011). Profile of a Famous Nurse Mary Eliza Mahoney. Retrieved from http://m.ajc.com/jobs/profile-of-a-famous-826951 Hines, L. D. (n.d). Making History: Black Nightingales. Retrieved from http://minoritynurse.com Wessling, S. (n.d). Eyes on the Prize. Retrieved May 1, 2011, from http://www.minoritynurse.com

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