Boston, Massachusetts (May 7, 1845 -January 4, 1926) age 80 yrs

Mary Eliza Mahoney, born free, was the first African American to study nursing in the United States. She also worked as a professionally trained nurse. She graduated in 1879. Her reputation was impeccable as she worked all across the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Furthermore, Mahoney served as director of the Howard Orphan Asylum for Black children in Long Island, New York. Mahoney was one of the first Black members of the all-white Nursers’ Associated Alumnae of the United States and Canada. This organization was later renamed the American Nurses Association. Mahoney was co-founder of the National association of Colored Graduate Nurses.