Who was the first African American professional nurse?

• A. Mary Mahoney
• B. Linda Richards
• C. Clara Barton
• D. Margaret Sanger

Answer: (A)

This question focuses on a milestone in nursing history—the first African American to become a professional nurse in the United States. Mary Mahoney earned her nursing diploma in 1879 from the New England Hospital for Women and Children in Boston, making her the first African American to complete professional nurse training in the country. Her achievement broke racial barriers and she continued to advocate for Black nurses, helping to promote opportunities and standards within the profession. The other names are important figures in nursing, but none were the first African American professional nurse, so they don’t fit this specific milestone.