Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization

	Mark your calendar, save the date, and plan to attend Who: All parties interested in helping finance our scholarship activities are invited to attend. Our 2008 keynote speaker will be UW School of Nursing Dean Dr. Nancy Woods. What: 2008 annual luncheon, DIVERSITY—Enriching Nursing. Scholarships will be announced at this fundraising event. We acknowledge our future nurses, congratulate their choice of career and their efforts to succeed, and bestow our blessings and support. When: April 13, 2008 1:00 pm-4:00 pm Where: The Spirit of WA Event Center, a beautiful new facility in downtown Renton. Directions and map are available here. Why: All funds raised from this luncheon go to scholarships for African-American and African heritage students who wish to pursue careers in professional nursing. How much: Ticket prices are $50 per person.
Guest speaker, UW School of Nursing Dean Dr. Nancy Woods Dr. Woods has served as president of the American Academy of Nursing, and the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research, and as a member of the National Advisory Council on Nursing Research for the National Institute of Nursing Research, and was elected to the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences.
Spirit of Washington Event Center

Organization and event background: In 1879 Mary Eliza Mahoney graduated from the New England Hospital for Women and Children in Boston, MA as the first colored graduate nurse in the United States. In 1949, under the leadership of Anne Foy Baker, 12 registered nurses of African heritage established the Mary Mahoney Registered Nurse Club (now Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization - MMPNO), named in honor of this pioneering African American nurse. All funds raised from this luncheon go to scholarships for African-American and African heritage students who wish to pursue careers in professional nursing.

The annual luncheon occurs every April, and details are posted on this Website when they become available. Each year's program includes notable African Americans who speak on topics such as the subject of health disparities and proposed solutions to address this problem. Past panels of speakers have included King County Executive Ron Sims, Washington Senator Rosa Franklin, Dr. Bessie Young, physician at the VA and University Hospitals and Audrey Thomas, BS RN, from the VA Hospital.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend; it is a very educational experience for students who wish to make a contribution to change.

See also: endowment history, and contributing funds to the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization scholarships or endowment fund.

For more information about the annual luncheon, please please call Dr. Lois Price Spratlen at 206-365-0956 or email lprice@u.washington.edu.

Make checks payable to Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization.