History of Black Nurses

Mary Eliza Mahoney 1845-1926

She was the first African-American registered nurse in the U.S.A. Mary Eliza Mahoney is known not only for her outstanding personal nursing career, but also for her exemplary contributions to local and national professional organizations. Mahoney inspired both nurses and patients with her calm, quiet efficiency and untiring compassion. Patients tended by Mahoney throughout her career gave glowing testimony of her expert and tender care. She graduated from the New England Hospital for Women and Children Training School for Nurses in 1879.

She was one of only three persons in her class to complete the rigorous 16 month program. In 1909, Mary Eliza Mahoney gave the welcome address at the first conference of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN).