Mary E.

Mahoney
By: Jillian Snell Period 8
Introduction
Who is Mary Mahoney?
• She is known for being the first
African American nurse.
• She was born on May 7th, 1845
• Mahoney believed that there
could be better opportunities
and equality for African
American Women.
• At a young age, she always
wanted to be a nurse, but
others ridiculed her for her
passion.
 Early Education and Career
Mahoney was educated at one of the first integrated
schools in the country, Phillips School, located in
Boston. This is where her interest in nursing really
began.
Mahoney would soon go on to work at New
England Hospital for Women and Children, but she
was not a nurse yet. She worked as a washer, janitor
and cook. Sometimes however, she had the
opportunity to be a nurse's aide, which would
further inspire her dream.
Important Milestones
National Association
Admitted to Graduate Finished Graduate
Joined NAAUSC of Colored Graduate After Retirement
School School
Nurses

1878 1879 1896 1908 1920

Mahoney was admitted Initially, there were 42 Mahoney joined the Mahoney noticed that Even though she had
to the New England individuals admitted Nurses Associated there weren’t any already retired from
Hospital for Women and into the nursing Alumnae of the United African American nurses nursing, Mahoney felt
Children’s graduate program, but because of States and Canada, because they faced lots that her work was not
nursing program. During the hard work and long which consisted of of discrimination. In yet done. She was one
her time there, she went hours, only 4 finished mainly white members. response, she co- of the first women to
through a gruesome 16 the program. Mahoney She was not treated founded the National vote in Boston after the
months, obtaining as was one of those 4, nicely by her peers, but Association of Colored ratification of the 19th
much nursing making her the first that did not seem to Graduate Nurses. amendment and she
experiences as possible licensed African pose as an obstacle for continued participating
and going to many American nurse. her. in civil rights acivisim.
lectures a week.
Awards
• In her honor, the Mary Mahoney award was
created in 1936. It is awarded to people who
contribute to the growth of equality/diversity in
the medical field.
• She was enlisted in the American Nurses
Association Hall of Fame in 1976 and would later
be enlisted in the National Women’s Hall of
Fame in 1993.
Fun Facts
• During her schooling, Mahoney also worked as a private
duty nurse. She would only earn a weekly salary of 1-4
dollars.
• She went from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm doing her daily work in
the wards.
• Mahoney’s collogues said she was always patient, caring and
kind to her clients, even when they were disrespectful and
racist towards her.
• There is a Mary Mahoney Memorial Health Center located in
Oklahoma.
 Mahoney’s Impact
Mahoney’s perseverance and contributions inspired more African American
Women to pursue medical careers like nursing. Her dedication towards
Women’s Rights Activism also helped spread the movement.
Sources
• Source #1 :
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographi
es/mary-mahoney
• Source #2 : https://kidskonnect.com/people/mary-mahoney/
• Source #3 :
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/mahoney-m
ary-eliza-1845-1926/#:~:text=Mary%20Eliza%20Mahoney%2C%
20America's%20first,Massachusetts%20on%20May%207%2C%2
01845
.