![]() ![]() During the Civil War, she served the North as a nurse and spy. Born in Maryland a slave in 1822, she later escaped and made more than a dozen successful return trips to free friends and family. Well known for her exploits during the American Civil War related to the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman was a strong symbol of the abolitionist movement. She was posthumously awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit in 1991 and was voted the “greatest Black Briton” in 2004. After being refused for service by the British War Office, she followed the fighting herself, unofficially setting up refuge and medical assistance centers for soldiers. Some call her the Jamaican Florence Nightingale, as both cared for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War (1853-1856). Mary Seacole was a British-Jamaican nurse and entrepreneur. She is most praised for her speech given in 1851, entitled “Ain’t I a Woman?,” in which she demanded equal rights for all women as well as all African Americans. She is most commonly known for her work as an abolitionist, advocate and speaker for women’s rights, and the first Black woman to win a court case vying for the returned ownership (freedom) of her son. Sojourner Truth (born Isabella Baumfree) was born into slavery in 1797. He was then transferred two more times before receiving his freedom in New Orleans and opening up his own practice, the first documented medical practice run and owned by an African American. ![]() ![]() John Kearsley, who taught him about compound medicine, professional bedside manner, and the basics of throat medicine. Born into slavery in Philadelphia, Derham eventually served under Dr. James Derham was the first African American to formally practice medicine in the United States as both a nurse and physician. James Derham, nurse and physician (1762-early 1800s) James Derham (1762-Early 1800s) Given that February is Black History Month, let’s take a look back in history to recognize the incredible Black and African American foremothers and forefathers of nursing, who had to deal with a lot more than just cumbersome EHR systems. Today, we are fortunate to have representative bodies such as the National Black Nurses Association to help support minority nurse leaders in leading the charge to a healthier global community, but it wasn’t always this way. With nearly 10% of the nursing community identifying as Black or African American, that’s over 350,000 registered nurses and LPNs working today that are deserving of more public acknowledgement. However, we shouldn’t have to wait for “our year” to give credit where credit is due, but unfortunately, the indefatigable work of the nursing community often goes under appreciated (at least publicly). With 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, it’s an opportune time to give greater praise to all of the nurses out there that work tirelessly for the health and betterment of the global population. ![]()
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