Recognizing the difficulties faced by black women in the nursing field, Mahoney supported the efforts of Martha Minerva Franklin, who founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN) in 1908, and delivered the welcoming address at the association's first annual convention in 1909.
Mahoney also secured membership in the Nurses Association Alumnae of the United States and Canada, which later became the American Nurses Association (ANA). She fostered trust and performed her job skillfully, and cared for patients not only in Massachusetts but in North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey. Her references specifically listed her as "colored," but her reputation for calm, quiet efficiency often overcame racial barriers. Staff positions at hospitals were difficult to obtain, particularly for African-Americans, and like most newly graduated nurses Mahoney registered with the Nurses Directory as a private duty nurse. On August 1, 1879, Mary Mahoney became the first black woman in America to earn a nursing degree. Mahoney was one of 42 students accepted into the intense 16-month course in 1878, and she was one of only four students to graduate. Considered progressive for its time, the hospital was proud of its treatment of both white and black patients, and the charter of its affiliated School of Nursing contained a provision allowing the admittance of one black student and one Jewish student per class. At age 18, she began working at the New England Hospital for Women and Children as a cook and scrubber and, 15 years later, at age 33, was finally accepted as a student nurse. As a black woman coming of age in Civil War-era America, her career options were severely restricted, but she was determined to pursue nursing from the time she was a teenager. Born Mary Elizabeth Mahoney on April 15 (some sources cite April 16 and others May 7), 1845, in Dorchester, Massachusetts died on Janudaughter of Charles Mahoney and Mary Jane (Steward) Mahoney New England Hospital for Women and Children, R.N., 1879 never married no children.īorn in 1845 in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Mary Eliza Mahoney was the eldest of three children of Charles Mahoney and Mary Jane Mahoney. In the event of an emergency, call 911 or go directly to the closest emergency room.įor inquires or to set up an appointment with the Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center, call 1(800) 734-7083.African-American nurse who was the first black woman in America to graduate with a nursing degree. Michael's Hospital and others, are qualified to handle emergency care. Our Department & FQHC are not equipped to handle emergency care services but our community partners such as University Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital, St. Services provided by the Department & the Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center are: The medically underserved population includes those who are uninsured, underinsured, undocumented and unable to pay. The Department provides affordable, high-quality & comprehensive primary care to the medically underserved in the City of Newark, for eligible clients at no cost. It is this legacy of efficient and compassionate care which led to the name choice for the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in the heart of the City of Newark.
MARY ELIZA MAHONEY HEALTH CENTER PROFESSIONAL
Through her participation in professional nursing organizations, she helped shape the standards for which the profession has come to be known and continues to develop. Mahoney was not just an inspiration to African American women, but to the entire nursing profession. The health center is named after Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first African-American nurse to earn a professional nursing license.
The Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center follows through with the Department's mission when serving the Newark community everyday.
The mission of the Department of Health and Community Wellness is to provide and advocate for comprehensive health care, social and environmental services for Newark citizens and other consumers to ensure an optimal level of health and well-being.
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