About the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization
Mary Eliza Mahoney
In 1879 Mary Eliza Mahoney graduated from the New England Hospital for Women and Children in Boston, MA. She was the first colored graduate nurse in the United States. For over 40 years she devoted her life to professional nursing. She promoted organizational development for nurses and delivered services to patients in the home, clinics and hospitals. Her life and legacy are celebrated by members of professional nursing organizations and by awards that are named in her honor. This organization is named in honor of this pioneering African American nurse.
The Founding of Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization
Mary Mahoney Nurses Club, founders, pictured standing left to right: Mary Martin, Ira Gordon, Mary Davis Hooks, Ernestine Williams, Gertrude Dawson, Maxine Pitter Haynes, Rachel S. Pitts, and Katie Ashford. Seated left to right: Anne Foy Baker, Sadie Berrysmith Wallace, Juanita Davis and Celestine Thomas. Not shown: Mary Lanier. (Photographed by Chester Berrysmith)
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In 1949 Anne Foy Baker invited 12 registered nurses to her home. She wanted these nurses to meet one another and to decide if they wanted to establish a professional organization. Under her leadership they established Mary Mahoney Registered Nurse Club, now Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization (MMPNO). The principal purposes of this organization were to (1) provide information and support to one another, and (2) provide scholarship support to students who desired to pursue studies leading to careers in nursing.
Mission and goals
The primary mission of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization is to provide financial aid and scholarships to students of African heritage who pursue studies leading to careers in professional nursing.
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.
See also: mission statement, code of ethics, and membership information.
Organizational endowment
This Endowment was established under the leadership of Lois Price Spratlen, RN, CS, Ph.D., FAAN. The purpose is to ensure that sufficient funds will be available to continue into perpetuity the main mission of awarding scholarship and financial support to outstanding students of African descent who pursue studies leading to careers in nursing and who are committed to community service. We seek additional funds in order to continue this investment in our community and the nursing profession. See also: endowment history and purpose
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. See also: scholarships.
Additional information
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. See also: membership, and meetings.
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