Rachel Suggs Pitts, one of Seattle's few Black nurses in the 1940s, played a key role in UW virus research, worked as a public health nurse and provided decades of health service. But perhaps her most profound contribution was to future generations of Black nurses.
Pitts died in April, only a few months shy of her 100th birthday. She was the last remaining founder of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization (MMPNO). The club for Black nurses started in 1949 and today provides mentorship, financial aid and scholarships to students of African heritage pursuing careers in nursing. Through the organization and beyond, Pitts nurtured generations of young Black nurses. And they have gone on to advance public health both locally and nationally.
Pitts retired from professional nursing in 1985 but continued to provide health services to family, members of her church and those who asked for help. To memorialize Pitts' legacy, Salmon created an endowed scholarship in her name. "I have huge admiration for her and was really happy to have the opportunity to do something to celebrate her life," Salmon says. "I know there's a lot of discussion now about diversity, equity and inclusion, but we are at the beginning of the journey, we're not at the end."
Pitts died in April, only a few months shy of her 100th birthday. She was the last remaining founder of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization (MMPNO). The club for Black nurses started in 1949 and today provides mentorship, financial aid and scholarships to students of African heritage pursuing careers in nursing. Through the organization and beyond, Pitts nurtured generations of young Black nurses. And they have gone on to advance public health both locally and nationally.
Pitts retired from professional nursing in 1985 but continued to provide health services to family, members of her church and those who asked for help. To memorialize Pitts' legacy, Salmon created an endowed scholarship in her name. "I have huge admiration for her and was really happy to have the opportunity to do something to celebrate her life," Salmon says. "I know there's a lot of discussion now about diversity, equity and inclusion, but we are at the beginning of the journey, we're not at the end."
Rachel Suggs Pitts, one of Seattle's few Black nurses in the 1940s, played a key role in UW virus research, worked as a public health nurse and provided decades of health service. But perhaps her most profound contribution was to future generations of Black nurses.
Pitts died in April, only a few months shy of her 100th birthday. She was the last remaining founder of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization (MMPNO). The club for Black nurses started in 1949 and today provides mentorship, financial aid and scholarships to students of African heritage pursuing careers in nursing. Through the organization and beyond, Pitts nurtured generations of young Black nurses. And they have gone on to advance public health both locally and nationally.
Pitts retired from professional nursing in 1985 but continued to provide health services to family, members of her church and those who asked for help. To memorialize Pitts' legacy, Salmon created an endowed scholarship in her name. "I have huge admiration for her and was really happy to have the opportunity to do something to celebrate her life," Salmon says. "I know there's a lot of discussion now about diversity, equity and inclusion, but we are at the beginning of the journey, we're not at the end."
Pitts died in April, only a few months shy of her 100th birthday. She was the last remaining founder of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization (MMPNO). The club for Black nurses started in 1949 and today provides mentorship, financial aid and scholarships to students of African heritage pursuing careers in nursing. Through the organization and beyond, Pitts nurtured generations of young Black nurses. And they have gone on to advance public health both locally and nationally.
Pitts retired from professional nursing in 1985 but continued to provide health services to family, members of her church and those who asked for help. To memorialize Pitts' legacy, Salmon created an endowed scholarship in her name. "I have huge admiration for her and was really happy to have the opportunity to do something to celebrate her life," Salmon says. "I know there's a lot of discussion now about diversity, equity and inclusion, but we are at the beginning of the journey, we're not at the end."
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