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| History |
| A
group of Black Nurses attending the 47th American Nurses
Association Convention in 1970 held a caucus to discuss
common concerns. A steering committee met in 1971 in Cleveland
Ohio and organized to investigate, define, and determine
the needs of Black Americans and to implement changes in
health care. The National Black Nurses Association
(NBNA) was incorporated and obtained tax-exempt status in
1972. A
large number of nurses from Washington, D.C. attended the
2nd NBNA Institute and Conference in Miami, Florida in 1974.
The nurses caucused and made plans for a meeting in Washington,
D.C. The Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington,
D.C. Area (BNA GWDCA) was officially chartered in June 1975.
The charter members were Cynthia Barr, President;
Claudine Linder, Secretary; Lillian Wade, Treasurer; and
Barbara Baskerville, Ada Cain, Janice Crouch, and Bertha
Speight, Members-at-Large. |
Members of the The Washington, D.C., Area Black Nurses Association attended the 17th Annual National Black Nurses Day on Capitol Hill. Seated: Kathy Williams; Patricia Tompkins; Dr. Veronica Clarke-Tasker, professor, Howard University, Division of Nursing and President, Greater Washington, D.C., Area Black Nurses Association. Standing: Dr. Eleanor Walker; Novella Jackson; Margaret Pemberton; Margaret Nelson;
Judy Poole; Millicent Gorham, NBNA Executive Director; Velma Henderson, Chief Nursing Officer, Howard University Hospital; Lillian Wade;
Eugene Allen; Mary Cromartie. |
| As
a local chapter of the National Black Nurses Association,
BNA of GWDCA endeavors to support NBNA and provide service
to the Greater Washington, D.C. Area community. Members, of which a few are pictured above,
are encouraged to maintain membership in all professional
nursing organizations. Membership is open to all licensed
nurses and nursing students. As a chapter, our challenge
is “Empowering the Community Through Education,
Service, and Caring.” |
| Objectives |
- Support the purpose and objectives set forth by the National Black Nurses Association, Inc.
- Provide a force that effects change, protects the status
of professional development and eliminates barriers encountered by the
Black nurse.
- Serve as the local nursing body to influence legislation
and policies that affect Black consumers and work cooperatively
and collaboratively with other health professionals and
organizations to this end.
- Foster the communication process among Black nurses in the
Greater Washington, D.C. Area by disseminating available
information on funding for education, career opportunities,
and current trends in health care.
- Provide nursing consultation to the community in relation
to the unique health care needs of Black consumers.
- Identify specific health problems within the Black American
community and implement programs that address these specific
needs.
- Provide mentoring and tutorial services for Black nurses
and nursing students.
- Provide for cohesion and solidarity among Black nurses
by acting as the vehicle for unification of Black nurses
of all ages, educational levels, and geographic location
to insure continuity of our common heritage.
- Maintain a local directory of Black nurses in the Greater
Washington, D.C. Area.
- Encourage Black nurses to engage in scholarly activities
on either an individual or a collaborative basis.
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