Esther McCready and Shirley Nathan-Pulliam etched their names into the history books and into UMSON’s building by advancing educational equality and adding nursing perspective to public policy.
This story is one in a series about the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) contributions to U.S. history as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday this year. The stories will be featured on The Elm website/Elm Weekly newsletter in the coming months. The series can be read at the UMB Celebrates America at 250 website. The July episode of “The UMB Pulse” podcast features a discussion about UMB history with Tara Wink of the Health Sciences and Human Services Library.
For 250 years, the American story has been shaped by individuals who challenged barriers, expanded opportunity, and worked to create a more equitable future. At the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), few stories better embody that spirit than those of two trailblazing graduates of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON): Esther E. McCready, DIN ’53, (left in graphic above) and Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, MAS, BSN ’80, RN, FAAN (right in graphic).
Today, their names greet students, employees, and visitors on the facade of the UMSON building on West Lombard Street — a powerful reminder that progress is often driven by those who are willing to be first.
These pioneers were recognized during UMSON’s “Seeds of Change” event in 2023, which celebrated the school’s building renovation and expansion while honoring two women who hold honorary degrees from the school and whose influence extends far beyond nursing. Their legacies helped transform education, health care, public policy, and opportunity in Maryland and throughout the nation.
Esther McCready (second from left) is shown with NAACP lawyers Thurgood Marshall (left) and Donald Gaines Murray in a photograph from the Baltimore Afro American.
In 1950, McCready became the first African American admitted to UMSON, breaking a racial barrier that reflected the broader struggle for civil rights occurring across America. At a time when segregation limited educational opportunities for African Americans, McCready challenged the status quo and opened doors for generations of students who followed.
Her courage represented more than a personal achievement. It also reflected the evolution of the United States toward the ideals of equality and access promised in its founding documents. Through determination and resilience, McCready helped make higher education more accessible and inclusive, strengthening the nursing profession and the communities it serves.
A generation later, Nathan-Pulliam carried that legacy of service and leadership into health care and government.
Shirley Nathan-Pulliam received the Dean’s Medal for Distinguished Service from the School of Nursing in 2021, recognizing her numerous contributions to the school, nurses throughout Maryland, and patients, families, and communities around the state.
After earning her nursing degree from UMSON, Nathan-Pulliam built a distinguished career caring for patients while becoming a powerful advocate for public health and underserved populations. Her work as a Maryland state delegate and then senator brought a nurse’s perspective to policymaking, helping shape legislation that improved health care access, public health, and community well-being.
Throughout U.S. history, nurses often have served as trusted leaders during times of challenge and change. Nathan-Pulliam exemplified that tradition, demonstrating how health professionals can influence individual patient outcomes and the policies that shape communities.
Together, McCready and Nathan-Pulliam represent two distinct chapters of the American experience. One helped break barriers to educational opportunity. The other helped translate health care expertise into public service and policy leadership. Both used their education to improve lives and bolster their communities.
Their stories also reflect the enduring mission of UMSON, which for more than 135 years has prepared nurses to lead, innovate, and serve. From advancing health equity to informing public policy, UMSON graduates have helped address some of the nation's most pressing health challenges.
As America commemorates its 250th birthday this year, the stories of McCready and Nathan-Pulliam remind us that the nation’s progress is measured not only by historic events but also by individuals whose courage and commitment create lasting change.
The expanded UMSON space stands as more than a building enhancement. It serves as a tribute to two women whose lives embody the promise of American progress and an inspiration for future generations of nurses who will continue advancing health, equity, and opportunity in their communities and their country.
Esther McCready, the first African American admitted to the School of Nursing, stands in front of a display about her trailblazing story at UMSON’s Living History Museum in 2005. McCready died in 2020 at the age of 89.
Read more about McCready, who received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from UMB in 2015.
Read more about Nathan-Pulliam, who received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from UMB in 2023.
Watch a video about the 2023 “Seeds of Change” event on YouTube or below.