The primary mission of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization (MMPNO) is to
provide financial aid and scholarships to students of African heritage who pursue studies leading
to careers in professional nursing.
Proud of our past and embracing our Future, our goals are to:
- Promote recruitment, retention and graduation of African heritage students in nursing programs.
- Foster personal and professional career development of MMPNO members.
- Enhance physical and psychosocial well-being of under-served people.
- Encourage non-partisan political activity that is designed to positively impact the above goals.
About Mary Eliza Mahoney
This organization is named in honor of the pioneering African American nurse Mary Eliza
Mahoney. Graduating from the New England Hospital for Women and Children in Boston, MA
in 1879, Mary was the first colored graduate nurse in the United States. For more than 40 years,
Mary devoted her life to professional nursing, delivering services to patients in the home, clinics
and hospitals, and promoting organizational development for nurses. Her life and legacy are
celebrated by members of this and other professional nursing organizations and by numerous
awards named in her honor.
Our Founding
Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization was first established as the Mary Mahoney
Registered Nurse Club in 1949. Anne Foy Baker invited 12 other registered nurses to a meeting
in her home to meet one another and discuss the idea of establishing a professional organization.
Under her leadership, the organization was created with a two-fold mission: to provide
information and support to one another, and to provide scholarship support to students pursuing
education and careers in nursing.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded to students of African heritage who are presently enrolled in degree-
granting programs that lead to licensing as registered nurses and other professional credentials.
Awards are for tuition, books and related academic expenditures. The criteria include financial
need, academic grade point and lived experiences. Scholarship awards are presented on an
annual basis.
Learn more about our scholarships.
Membership
Membership is open to any registered nurse of African heritage who is committed to the mission
and goals of this organization. Monthly meetings are held on the first Saturday of each month,
September through June.