As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor the rich tapestry of African American contributions that have profoundly shaped our nation and our institution. This month serves as a poignant reminder to reflect on the struggles, triumphs, and enduring legacy of the Black community. Let us use this time to foster understanding, amplify diverse voices, and commit to building a more inclusive and equitable future at our School and in the community.
This February, we honor and remember Esther McCready (1931-2020), who was the first African-American student to attend the University of Maryland School of Nursing. When McCready first applied to UMSON, the School did not admit African Americans, and she was initially denied. With the help of NAACP civil rights attorneys Charles Hamilton Houston, Donald Gaines Murray, and Thurgood Marshall, she sued for her right to be admitted to the School.
On April 14, 1950, the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled in favor of McCready, and she was granted admission. Her case not only paved the way for Black nurses at the School of Nursing, but also helped lay the groundwork for the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision in 1954.
After graduating in 1953, McCready built a successful career as a nurse and educator, working for 35 years in hospitals in Baltimore, Boston, and New York.
photo: Esther McCready standing in front of an exhibit case at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore
Save the Dates:
From Words to Action: A Four-Part Discussion on the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing
Thursday, Feb. 8, 15, 22, and 29, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Webinar
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is hosting a four-part series on the National Commission to Address Racism's foundational report on racism in nursing. This report, released in 2022, delves into education, policy, practice, and research. Examining the historical experiences of nurses of color in the United States, the report emphasizes how structural and systemic racism have hindered their access to educational and professional opportunities, as well as institutional power.
The series welcomes participation from students, staff, faculty, alumni, and external nurses. Every weekly session will delve into a specific topic, providing participants with the chance to acquire one continuing education credit per session. NCE credits are free to UMSON faculty, $20 for alumni, and $40 for external nurses.
“Blacks in White” Reginald Lewis Museum Visit
Friday, March 1, 1 p.m.
830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is organizing a school visit to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture to tour the “Blacks in White” exhibit. The exhibit traces Black health practitioners’ commitment, innovation, ingenuity, and resistance to medical racism, focusing specifically on Baltimore and the Chesapeake region.