DETROIT BLACK NURSES ASSOCIATION, INC.

                    HISTORY

 

                                                At the 1970 American Nurses Association convention, a large group of Black                                                   Nurses caucused and identified common concerns.  Central among them was                                                 the concept that black nurses were accountable to Black people in a special                                                     way.  There was an urgent need, the caucus felt, for black nurses to serve, to                                                  articulate the needs of the black community for compatible care delivery systems as well as the dreams of Back people for equal access to and mobility within the health care system.  Out of this and many meetings that followed, the National Black Nurses Association was born.

 

Our own Dr. Gloria Richardson Smith was one of the founding members of the National Black Nurses Association.  The second President was Dr. Carrie Rogers Brown who was also DBNA’s second president.  In Michigan and Detroit, the history of black nurses is rich and successful.

 

In June 1972 with twelve charter members, Geraldine Holt Doby founded the Detroit Black Nurses Association (DBNA).  The charter members were Vernice Davis Anthony, Janet Barnes, Sara Barnes, Carolyn Bryant, Joyce Foster Hartsfield, Betty Loving, Leroy Matthews, Marie Ray, Barbara Sanders and Jural VanBuren.

 

Presidents of DBNA have been distinguished nursing leaders: Joyce Foster Hartsfield, D.O. RN, 19710 1974; Dr. Carrie Rogers Brown, 1974 – 1976; Beverly Jones, M.P.H., RN, 1976 – 1978; Loretta Fuller, M.B.A., RN 1978 – 1980; Dr. Dollie Braithwaite, 1980 – 1984; Paulette Griffin, M.S., RN 1984 – 1989 ; Jonnie Hamilton, M.S., RN, 1989-1993; Michelle Ivory Martin, B.S.N., RN 1993 – 1995; Dr. Cynthia Archer Gift, 1995 – 1997; Vivian Murphy, MS.N., RN 1997 - 1999; Nettie Riddick, MSN, RN, 1999 –

 

Geraldine Holt Doby-Williams the founder of DBNA made her transition in 1998.  The chapter named its annual scholarship award in her honor and since 1982 has awarded the Geraldine Doby Nurse Achiever Award to a member of the Association who exemplifies the life of Geraldine Doby and her commitment to the nursing profession.

 

DBNA works to accomplish these objectives by participating in or sponsoring educational seminars and workshops, mentoring students, tutorial programs, career counseling, career day activities at local schools, scholarship awards, speakers bureau, health fairs, cancer and hypertension screening, teen pregnancy prevention, project healthy leaving, sickle cell anemia screening and counseling.  DBNA members are committed to making a difference in the community and the Nursing profession collectively and individually. 

 

 

 

HISTORY OF NATIONAL BLACK NURSE DAY

 

In February, 1988 under the leadership of National Black Nurses Association (NBNA)

 

Fifth President, C. Alicia Georges and a proclamation by Congressman Louis Stokes of

 

Ohio the first Friday in February annually was proclaimed as National Black Nurses day. 

 

The day was established to recognize the many contributions that black nurses have made

 

to the nursing profession, the health care delivery system and the public at large.  Nurses

 

across the nation celebrate the accomplishments of their colleagues. The day is

 

Celebrated nationally by NBNA on Capitol Hill and locally by DBNA with a educational

 

Program and celebration. The Detroit City Council in January of 2005 proclaimed

 

February 16th as Black Nurses Day in the city of Detroit.