Mary Mahoney was a very selfless woman. Ametia states that “Through her dedication and tireless desire to inspire future generations, Mary Eliza Mahoney has been a source of inspiration to thousands of men and women of color in the nursing profession.” As the first African American nurse, Mrs. Mary Eliza Mahoney had a great impact on the lives and future of Americans. On May 7, 1845, Mary was born to Charles and Mary Jane Steward Mahoney in Dorchester, Massachusetts (Encyclopedia 1). As she grew up she became more and more interested in nursing ("Graduates with Honors Recipients of HCC Scholarships"). After working as a housekeeper for a few years at the New England Women's and Children's Hospital, she began attending the nursing program at the hospital in 1878. Mahoney was one of four graduates of the program after 42 students enrolled (" HCC Scholarships Recipient Graduates with Honors”).Portrait of Mary Mahoney and work as a private nurse (bottom left corner). started working as a private nurse by going to people's homes and helping seriously ill people. Knowing everything she knows about nursing, she was later asked to join the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN). in 1909, she headed the NAGCN's first annual convention, held in Boston (Encyclopedia 1) As part of the NAGCN, Mrs. Mahoney moved to Long Island, New York, and became supervisor of the Howard Orphan Asylum for Black. Children. Then, in 1912, Mary returned to Boston (Encyclopedia 1). After 80 years of service and helping others, Mrs. Mary Eliza Mahoney has passed away... middle of paper... Recipient of CC Scholarships, graduated with honors." New York Amsterdam News. January 15 2009. Page 3.Mary Mahoney Award. 2014. American Nurses Association, Inc., Silver Spring, MD Web, March 3, 2014. "Mary Mahoney." The (WA) Large, Jerry. “Seattle Times Jerry Large Column: African American Nurses Organizing Has Come a Long Way.” Seattle Times, The (WA). . 2 April 1996. Page 20.Nd Photography. 3 March 2014. .