Mary Eliza Mahoney

1
Mary Eliza Mahoney

• 1845-1926

2
Background

• Born May 7, 1845 in Boston Mass.
• Parents were originally from North Carolina, but
  moved to Mass. because it was a free state
• Oldest of 3

3
Interest in Nursing

• First became interested at the age of 18.
• Wanted to make more of her life not just be a
  maid.
• Worked 15 years as a nurses assistant, janitor,
  and cook.

4
Nurse training

• First admitted to New England Hospital in 1878,
  at the age of 33.
• This hospital was the first to provide nursing
  training.
• 16 month nursing program
• From a class of 40 students, she was 1 of only 4
  students who graduated.
• Graduated August 1, 1879 becoming the first
  African American nurse.

5
Post Graduation

• Registered with the nurses directory in Boston
  and became a private nurse.
• Was a nurse for 30 years.
• mainly worked outside hospital setting.
• Became director of the Howard Orphan Asylum for
  black children.
• Did this for 10 years.

6
Achievements

• 1896-became a member of ANA (American Nurses
  Association)
• 1908-co-founded the NACGN (National Association
  of Colored Graduated Nurses) along with Mary
  Vincent
• Gave welcoming address at the first convention
• 1921-participated in campaign for womens suffrage

7
Ending her career

• Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1923
• Lost battle against cancer on January 4, 1926.
• Lived until the age of 80
• Buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, Mass.

8
Post life honors

• In 1936 the NACGN established the Mary Eliza
  Mahoney award
• Given to outstanding nurses
• Award was continued by the ANA after the NACGN no
  longer existed
• 1976 Mary was inducted into the Nursing Hall of
  Fame

9
Criteria for NHF

• The nominee must have demonstrated leadership
  that affected the health and/or social history of
  the U.S. through sustained, lifelong
  contributions in or to nursing practice,
  education, administration, research, economics,
  or literature.

10
Cont.

• 1993-Inducted into the National Womans Hall of
  Fame.
• 1973-Mary Mahoney Memorial Health Center in
  Oklahoma established in her memory
• Non-profit
• Provides multiple services

11
Grave restoration

• Helen Sullivan Miller, recipient of the Mahoney
  award in 1968
• Discovered Mahoneys grave forgotten
• Led charge to restore the headstone.

12
Conclusion

• Prime example for nurses for generations to come
• Devotion to profession
• Commitment to integration
• Determination
• Loving ways with patients