Speaker discusses history, achievements of African American women in nursing

By AMY MENEFEE
Collegian Staff Writer

"A Woman of the Century" graced Penn State last night in recognition of African-American female nurses.

M. Elizabeth Carnegie, a registered nurse, visited the university previously as a lecturer and guest professor for the School of Nursing. She began her speech last night with the history of the obstacles, roles and contributions black women offered to the nursing field.

Carnegie's speech took the form of three parts, beginning with the education of nurses. She talked of the many institutions of higher learning and hospitals that began installing nursing programs.

Coming from a time when "separate but equal" was the law, Carnegie talked of the segregated conditions in which nurses learned, including separate classes and exams for black and white women.

The second part, employment of nurses, also focused on the separate practices. Women often worked in African-American run hospitals in the black community. She also spoke of the breakthroughs black women made in the public sector.

Lastly she spoke of the organization of nursing groups such as the American Nursing Association, which at first discriminated against minorities. This led black women to form their own group, the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses.

Throughout her speech, Carnegie also touched on her own accomplishments, beginning with her attainment of a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1942. Throughout the next 30 years, Carnegie received several degrees and certificates ranging from nursing to writing. She acquired her last degree, a doctorate in public administration, in 1972.

Carnegie's career has spanned the spectrum of nursing positions from New York to Alabama. For more than 50 years, she has been involved with numerous nursing and health organizations, consultations, publications and community and professional activities, in addition to giving speeches, lectures, seminars and workshops.

Some of her most notable accomplishments include being the second editor for Nursing Research, former president of the American Academy of Nursing, being recognized by "Who's Who of American Women" and in 1997, receiving the Living Legend Award from the Association of Black Nurse Faculty in Higher Education.

Carnegie has a new book, The Path We Tread: Blacks in Nursing Worldwide 1854-1994. The book will be available in the Penn State Bookstore.

Reflecting on Carnegie's many achievements, Aileen Marks, instructor for the School of Nursing, said, "I am in awe of Dr. Carnegie. She is a national nursing leader who happens to be African American."