Early Black American Leaders in Nursing: Architects for Integration and Equality

This is the fascinating story of three Black women, Mary Eliza Mahoney, Martha Minerva Franklin, and Adah Belle Samuels Thoms, who are considered among the pioneers of nursing, and who were admitted into the Nursing Hall of Fame for their efforts. They sought integration and equality, and worked toward upgrading the quality of nursing education and all aspects of employment in practice for Black nurses. Like architects, they were individually and collectively the founders, organizers, builders, and cornerstones of a national movement.