Black History in Nursing: Mary Eliza Mahoney

As a Black nurse practitioner, I am deeply grateful for the incredible women who came before me, paving the way and making it possible for me to pursue this profession.

In honor of Black History Month, I want to highlight the incredible legacy of Mary Eliza Mahoney. Keep reading to discover more about this pioneering trailblazer in nursing history.

Mary Eliza Mahoney (1845–1926) was the first African American professionally trained nurse in the United States. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she pursued a career in nursing despite the racial and gender barriers of her time. In 1879, she graduated from the New England Hospital for Women and Children’s nursing program, becoming one of only a few Black nurses in the country. Mahoney dedicated her career to advocating for racial equality in the nursing profession, co-founding the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN) in 1908. Her contributions paved the way for future generations of Black nurses, and she was posthumously inducted into the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame in 1976. Today, she is remembered as a trailblazer who helped shape a more inclusive nursing profession.

I hope you enjoyed learning about Mary Eliza Mahoney.

Until next time,

Suzette