Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1954-05-14

a. LOuOWS.
1. Delegates passed a resolu-
ton as part Of the ANA platform
calling for all nurses and all state
and local associations to work for
more inter-group harmony in
memberships and hiring policy In
their areas.
2. Mrs. Elizabeth X. Porter Of
Cleveland, national president Of
the ANA. cited this question As
one Of the great challenges to the
nursing profession in her opening
address to the convention.
8. For the first time the Mary
Mahoney Award for the nurse
making most significant contribu-
tons to nursing and democracy in
the field went to a white person.
4. Miss Grace e. Mari, assistant
executive secretary Of the ANA
in charge Of the intergroup rela-
tons unit, through interviews and
discussions. outlined progress
made In the ANA in this field, and
explained problems yet unsolved
by the ANA.
In It's l954-S8 platform. the
House Of Delegates. governing
body Of the ANA. passed the fol-
lowing plank on intergroup rela-
tons:
The ANA will aid nurses Tn be-
come more effective and more Sc
cure members OF their professions
by: Promoting the inclusion and
fun participation Of minority
groups In association activities.
and eliminating discrimination in
job opportunities. salaries and
other working conditions"
Citing intergroup relations as
one Of the big challenges Of ANA.
Mrs, Porter reported:
'On the home front we are NOV
ing as rapidly AZ possible to re-
move barriers that prevent full
development and full employment
Of nurses belonging to minority
racial groups"
As progress during the past
eight years since the ANA first
took a stand on indignation. Mrs.
Porter reported that TO Of 1900
schools Of nursing accept Negro
students, and only one state nur-
ses association (Gcorgia) still re-
fuses to accept Negroes. (Three
district associations, however. also
refuse Negro members In La
Shortcomings To Overcome
She also reported shortcomings
as follows:
Too infrequently IL q Ne
gro nurse appointed TO member
ship or chairmAnship Of n COM
mittee, or elected 10 office. No
matter how high the qualification,
colored persons are seldom con-
sIdered for a position above the
level Of general duty. and too
frequently they DO not receive the
equal salary for equal work.
"Intergroup relations In nurS-
ing II of vital concern TO all OF US,
both as nurses and a. citizens Of
our United States and Of the
world"
The Mary Mahoney Award. pre-
scented In honor OF the nations
FIRST Negro nurse, went to Miss
May NJ. Maloney. executive direc-
tor Of the West Virginia State
Nurses Association, because Of her
constant fight for the integration
Of Negro nurses. which last year
resulted in three Of West vir-
ginia's 20 nursing schools admit
ting Negro students for the first
time.
A member Of the ANA inter
group relations program since ia
origin In 1850, Miss MAloney Q
nurse for Il years. was unable 10
receive her award In person. Mrs..
Mabel X. stauperS, former presi-
dent Of the National Association
Of Colored Graduate Nurses. oFigi-
majors Of the award. presented u
to Miss Jullon Ritter for the win.
ner.
Wa First Negro Nurse
The ANA presented the award
for the first time this year be-
cause the MACON disbanded IN
1851 when the two groups agreed
to merge. The late Miss MAhoney
became the first Negro nurse Aug
1. 1879 when ahe was graduated
from the New England Hospital
for Women and Children.
she was tina wSlcons address
speaker az tbs founding meeting
os tire MACON IN 1909 and ~
first chaplain. Born In Boston IN
Is4s. ahs was o nurse for u
years.
Miss Mari. wto h IN charge n
the ANA lntsrgTUup relations pro
RrMm with offSces AZ Two Pan
Az. New Y0rk. outlined . %
tailed Report % past progrsm
mada ~ Negro nurw@s and prs
.u.AnA n .Araun.n a mai MGR.