The 26th celebration of National Black Nurses’ Day, honoring the contributions of outstanding Black nurses for providing safe, reliable, and effective care in their area of expertise will be held at the Apostolic Faith Church (3823 S. Indiana, Chicago, Illinois) at 6:00 pm on Friday, February 28, 2014. The guest speaker will be Janice Phillips PhD, RN, FAAN, Associate Professor at Rush University College of Nursing. Nominees (LPNs, RNs, and APNs) must minimally have 5 years of nursing experience. Deadline for submission of nominations is December 8, 2013. For more information, email the National Black Nurses Day Committee at [email protected].
The City of Chicago’s four Black Nursing Associations have combined together to celebrate National Black Nurses’ Day. The Honorable Charles Rangel of New York in 1988 was instrumental in getting the US Congress to establish the first Friday in the month of February as the day to acknowledge the contributions to health care made by all Black nurses. The first celebration was held on February 3, 1989.
The four Black nursing organizations that have joined hands to celebrate National Black Nurses’ Day include the Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses’ Association, Beta Mu Chapter of Lambda Pi Alpha Sorority, Alpha Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority, Inc. and Provident Hospital Nurses’ Alumni Association.
The Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses’ Association was established in 1973 under the leadership of the late Rev. Christine Leak RN. Its membership consists of RNs, LPNs, and student nurses. The current President is Daisy Harmon Allen.
Beta Mu Chapter of Lambda Pi Alpha Sorority was established in 1934 at Provident Hospital. This organization holds the hallmark of being the first professional Black Nursing Organization in the City of Chicago. The current President is Acquanetta Bluing.
Provident Hospital Nurses’ Alumni Association consists of graduates of Provident Hospital’s School of Nursing. The Alumni Association has been in existence since 1891. The current President is Louise Hoskins Broadnax.
Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. is a national nursing sorority for nurses and nursing students that was organized October 16, 1932 at Freedman’s Hospital in Washington, DC. Alpha Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. was established in Chicago in 1980. The current President is Marva Evans.
Black nurses practice in all areas of nursing: clinical, education, administrative, research, government and private enterprise. Black nurses past and present are known for providing quality health care services. They play an integral role in delivering health care within the United States and its territories. Since February is the month that has been set aside to honor the contributions made by Black Americans to this country, it is only fitting that Black nurses be recognized and honored, during this time, for their outstanding contributions to their community and country.
For questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Smith at (773) 834-1322 or email the National Black Nurses Day Committee at [email protected].
