essay
Three years later, in 1896, Isabel Hampton Robb founded the
group that eventually became the American Nurses Association
(ANA) in 1911. Originally known as the Nurses Associated
Alumnae of the United States and Canada, the initial mission of this
group was to enhance collaboration among practicing nurses and
educators.
At the close of the century, in 1899, this same group of energetic
American nursing leaders, along with nursing leaders from abroad,
91
collaborated with Bedford Fenwick of Britain to found the
International Council of Nurses (ICN). The ICN was dedicated to
uniting nursing organizations of all nations, and, fittingly, the first
meeting was held at the World Exposition in Buffalo, New York, in
1901. At that meeting, a major topic of discussion was one that
would dramatically change the practice of nursing: state
registration of nurses.
Early nursing professional organizations reflected the segregation
that characterized postCivil War America. Initially, minority
group nurses were excluded from the ANA. After 1916, African
American nurses were admitted to membership through their
constituent (state) associations in parts of the country, but southern
states and the District of Columbia barred their membership.
African American nurses recognized the need for their own
professional organization to manage their specific challenges.
Martha Franklin sent 1500 letters to African American nurses and
nursing schools across the country to gather support for this idea
(Carnegie, 1995). In response, the National Association of Colored
Graduate Nurses (NACGN) was formed in 1908 in New York with
the objectives of achieving higher professional standards, breaking
down discriminatory practices faced by African Americans in
schools of nursing and nursing organizations, and developing
leadership among African American nurses. After deciding they
had met their objectives, the group disbanded in 1951. The ANA
had by that time committed full support to minority groups, as well
as abolishment of discrimination in all aspects of the profession. Three years later, in 1896, Isabel Hampton Robb founded the
group that eventually became the American Nurses Association
(ANA) in 1911. Originally known as the Nurses Associated
Alumnae of the United States and Canada, the initial mission of this
group was to enhance collaboration among practicing nurses and
educators.
At the close of the century, in 1899, this same group of energetic
American nursing leaders, along with nursing leaders from abroad,
91
collaborated with Bedford Fenwick of Britain to found the
International Council of Nurses (ICN). The ICN was dedicated to
uniting nursing organizations of all nations, and, fittingly, the first
meeting was held at the World Exposition in Buffalo, New York, in
1901. At that meeting, a major topic of discussion was one that
would dramatically change the practice of nursing: state
registration of nurses.
Early nursing professional organizations reflected the segregation
that characterized postCivil War America. Initially, minority
group nurses were excluded from the ANA. After 1916, African
American nurses were admitted to membership through their
constituent (state) associations in parts of the country, but southern
states and the District of Columbia barred their membership.
African American nurses recognized the need for their own
professional organization to manage their specific challenges.
Martha Franklin sent 1500 letters to African American nurses and
nursing schools across the country to gather support for this idea
(Carnegie, 1995). In response, the National Association of Colored
Graduate Nurses (NACGN) was formed in 1908 in New York with
the objectives of achieving higher professional standards, breaking
down discriminatory practices faced by African Americans in
schools of nursing and nursing organizations, and developing
leadership among African American nurses. After deciding they
had met their objectives, the group disbanded in 1951. The ANA
had by that time committed full support to minority groups, as well
as abolishment of discrimination in all aspects of the profession.
