7 nurses of color who made history

Educational Barriers and Workforce Representation

Minority nursing students frequently encounter implicit biases and a lack of support within educational institutions. A 2024 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health highlighted that these students often face racial discrimination and unsupportive learning environments. These challenges contribute to the underrepresentation of minority groups in the nursing workforce. As of 2022, Black registered nurses comprised 11% of the U.S. nursing workforce, up from 5% in 2008, yet still below their proportion in the general population.

Pioneers Who Paved the Way

Throughout history, several trailblazing nurses from underrepresented communities have made significant contributions to the field:

• Mary Eliza Mahoney (1845–1926): The first Black woman to earn a professional nursing license in the U.S., Mahoney graduated from the New England Hospital for Women and Children in 1879. Facing discrimination in public nursing, she became a private nurse for wealthy families. In 1908, she co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN) to advocate for Black nurses. Mahoney was inducted into the Nursing Hall of Fame in 1976 and the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993.
• Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail (1903–1981): The first Native American registered nurse, Yellowtail graduated from the Boston City Hospital School of Nursing in 1923. She dedicated her career to improving healthcare for Native American communities, addressing issues like forced sterilizations and inadequate access to care. Yellowtail served on national health advisory boards and founded the first professional association for Native American nurses. Intertribal Life Newspaper
• Estelle Massey Osborne (1901–1981): The first Black woman to earn a master's degree in nursing education, Osborne worked tirelessly to integrate Black nurses into the American Nurses Association and the U.S. Army Nurse Corps during World War II. She also served as a consultant to the National Nursing Council for War Service.
• Hector Hugo Gonzalez (1937–1999): One of the first Hispanic nurses to earn a doctorate in nursing, Gonzalez was instrumental in advocating for Hispanic representation in nursing and healthcare leadership roles. He served as the president of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and worked to improve healthcare access for underserved communities.
• Margaret P. Moss, Ph.D., RN, FAAN: An enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota, Dr. Moss is a leading advocate for Indigenous health. She authored the first textbook on American Indian health and nursing, emphasizing the importance of culturally competent care. Dr. Moss currently serves as an associate professor and continues to influence health policy and education.

Moving Forward

To build a more inclusive healthcare system, it's essential to:

• Enhance Educational Support: Provide scholarships and mentorship programs for minority nursing students to reduce financial barriers and promote retention.
• Promote Workforce Diversity: Implement targeted recruitment and retention strategies to increase the representation of underrepresented groups in nursing.
• Foster Inclusive Environments: Develop culturally competent training programs and policies that address implicit biases within healthcare institutions.

By acknowledging the contributions of pioneering nurses and actively working to dismantle systemic barriers, we can create a healthcare workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.

For more information on initiatives promoting diversity in healthcare, visit GoodWork.