Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Association
The Detroit Chapter of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Association (MMPNA)
The Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Association is located in Detroit Michigan. The Detroit chapter began in 1924. Our foundress was Ann Hutchinson Bumbray. Mrs. Bumbray was a graduate of the Flint Goodrich Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans, Louisana. The organization was called, "The Mary Mahoney Graduate Nurses' Club of Detroit". Mrs. Bumbray was a tireless worker and for many years was a recognized leader in nursing, both locally and nationally.
The Detroit chapter and several others around the country wished to preserve the name Mary Mahoney when black nurses were finally admitted membership to the American Nurses Association. In January 1951, after seven years of negotiations and delays, the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses was disbanded. The Detroit chapter shifted to a more socially oriented agenda with providing scholarships as its major function.
America's first black professional nurse, Mary Eliza Mahoney is known not only for her outstanding personal career, but also for her exemplary contributions to local and national professional organizations. Mahoney inspired both nurses and patients with her calm, quiet efficiency and untiring compassion. Patients tended by Mahoney throughout her career gave glowing testimony of her expert and tender care. She graduated from the New England Hospital for Women and Children Training School for Nurses in 1879. She was one of only three persons in her class to complete the rigorous 16 month program. In 1909, Mahoney gave the welcome address at the first conference of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN). In recognition of her outstanding example to nurses of all races, NACGN established the Mary Mahoney Award in 1936. When NACGN merged with the American Nurses Association in 1951, the award was continued. Today, the Mary Mahoney Award is bestowed biennially in recognition of significant contributions in interracial relationships.
Mary Eliza Mahoney, R.N.
First Black American Nurse
1845-1926
Upcoming Events
MMPNA Events
Meeting Dates: 2011
November 19 2011Theatre Party Detroit Repertory on Woodrow Wilson 8:30 PM. "Engagement Rules", a comedy.Contact Tonya for tickets $20 @ keltonya1992@aol.com This is one of our Scholarship fundraisers.
September 22 2011 6:30 PM at NWAC space 2 main floor. Business Meeting
October 27 2011 Business Meeting 6:30 PM
November 17 2011September 22 2011 at 6:30 PM NWAC
October 27 2011 at 6:30 PM at NWAC
November 17 2011 at 6:30 PM at NWAC
December 2011 Christmas Party TBA