Virginia Nurses Today 2_20
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Page 2 | February, March, April <strong>20</strong><strong>20</strong><br />
<strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Nurses</strong> <strong>Today</strong> | www.<strong>Virginia</strong><strong>Nurses</strong>.com<br />
Black History Month continued from page 1<br />
In a similar conversation with Senator Mamie<br />
Locke, she expressed discontent in past and<br />
current voting practices. Senator Locke said, “there<br />
is no reason to make it difficult for individuals to<br />
exercise their right to vote; it definitely should not be<br />
happening in this century.” “As Americans, it is our<br />
duty to ensure that anyone who is eligible to register<br />
and vote be allowed to exercise their given right to do<br />
so without obstruction,” stated Senator Locke.<br />
When I met with Congressman John Lewis I<br />
wanted to know what it was like on the Edmund<br />
Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on March 7, 1965,<br />
particularly when the nonviolent protesters were<br />
met with brute force opposition that included state<br />
troopers brandishing nightsticks, tear gas and<br />
whips. Congressman Lewis vividly accounts the<br />
day he and the other protesters marched for the<br />
voting rights of those denied the right to vote. The<br />
details are graphic and will not be discussed here,<br />
but Congressman Lewis said he feared that he<br />
would “die on that bridge.” Congressman Lewis said,<br />
“When I was being beat on that bridge, I thought I<br />
would lose my life right there, but it would not have<br />
been in vain.” The congressman emphasized the<br />
significance of voting and having your vote count.<br />
“It is imperative that citizens remain vigilant, stay<br />
informed about changes in legislation, and most<br />
importantly, exercise their right to vote,” says<br />
Congressman Lewis.<br />
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge civil<br />
rights activist Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first African<br />
American to complete nurse’s training in 1879. Miss<br />
Mahoney is also credited as one of the first women<br />
to register to vote in her state of Massachusetts<br />
following ratification of the 19th Amendment (Spring,<br />
<strong>20</strong>17). Senator Lucas said she imagines that many<br />
African Americans were feeling euphoric thinking<br />
that the amendment was a quick fix to the ongoing<br />
issues of voting rights, only to learn that barriers<br />
such as poll taxes continued to exist. Mahoney, along<br />
with many African American women such as Ida B.<br />
Wells, Nannie Helen Burroughs, Josephine St. Pierre<br />
Congressman John Lewis and Dr. McDaniel discuss<br />
his participation in the 1965 March to Selma<br />
Ruffin, and Mary McLeod Bethune led civil rights<br />
organizations that contributed to the VRA of 1965<br />
(National Park Service, <strong>20</strong>19).<br />
There are too many nuances surrounding the<br />
African American suffrage movement to discuss<br />
here, but perhaps your curiosity and propensity<br />
for gaining new knowledge will lead you to further<br />
investigate. And remember, you should never take<br />
your constitutional right to vote for granted. You<br />
must always seek ways to ensure that you are<br />
allowed the opportunity to exercise that right. Happy<br />
Black History Month!<br />
*The <strong>Virginia</strong> Senate recently named Sen. L.<br />
Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) as president pro<br />
tempore, making her the first woman and first<br />
African American to hold the chamber’s secondhighest<br />
office. Senator Mamie Locke was the first<br />
African American mayor of Hampton, VA.<br />
References<br />
National Park Service (<strong>20</strong>19). Series: Suffrage in America:<br />
The 15th and 19th Amendments. Retrieved from https://<br />
www.nps.gov/articles/black-women-and-the-fight-forvoting-rights.htm<br />
Spring, K. A. (<strong>20</strong>17). Mary Eliza Mahoney. The National<br />
Women’s History Museum. Retrieved from https://www.<br />
womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/<br />
mary-mahoney.<br />
is the official publication of the <strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Nurses</strong><br />
Foundation: 2819 N. Parham Road, Suite 230,<br />
Richmond, <strong>Virginia</strong> 23294, VNF’s affiliate, the<br />
<strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Nurses</strong> Association, is a constituent of<br />
the American <strong>Nurses</strong> Association.<br />
www.<strong>Virginia</strong><strong>Nurses</strong>.com<br />
admin@virginianurses.com<br />
Phone: 804-282-1808<br />
The opinions contained herein are those of the<br />
individual authors and do not necessarily<br />
reflect the views of the Foundation.<br />
<strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Nurses</strong> <strong>Today</strong> reserves the<br />
right to edit all materials to its style<br />
and space requirements and to<br />
clarify presentations.<br />
VNF Mission Statement<br />
To support the advancement of nursing through<br />
recognition, research, and innovation.<br />
VNT Staff<br />
Janet Wall, Editor-in-Chief<br />
Kristin Jimison, Managing Editor<br />
<strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Nurses</strong> <strong>Today</strong> is published quarterly<br />
every February, May, August and November by<br />
the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc.<br />
Copyright © <strong>20</strong>12, ISSN #1084-4740<br />
Subscriber rates are available, 804-282-1808.<br />
For advertising rates and information, please<br />
contact Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency,<br />
Inc., 517 Washington Street, PO Box 216,<br />
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. (800) 626-4081,<br />
sales@aldpub.com.<br />
VNF and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing<br />
Agency, Inc. reserve the right to reject any<br />
advertisement. Responsibility for errors in<br />
advertising is limited to corrections in the next<br />
issue or refund of price of advertisement.<br />
Acceptance of advertising does not imply<br />
endorsement or approval by the <strong>Virginia</strong> <strong>Nurses</strong><br />
Foundation of the products advertised, the<br />
advertisers or the claims made. Rejection of an<br />
advertisement does not imply that a product<br />
offered for advertising is without merit, or that<br />
the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this<br />
association disapproves of the product or its<br />
use. VNF and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing<br />
Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable for any<br />
consequences resulting from purchase or use of<br />
advertisers’ products. Articles appearing in this<br />
publication express the opinions of the authors;<br />
they do not necessarily reflect views of the staff,<br />
board, or membership of VNF, or those of the<br />
national or local chapters.<br />
Stafford County Public Schools is actively<br />
seeking qualified applicants for the<br />
following position: School Nurse<br />
Under the supervision of the Building Administrator and/or other designated<br />
administrator, the school nurse provides health services and leadership in establishing<br />
a complete and effective program of school health.<br />
Qualifications: Must be a graduate of an accredited program of registered nursing<br />
and hold a current license to practice nursing in the Commonwealth of <strong>Virginia</strong>;<br />
Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred. Current certification in First Aid,<br />
CPR, and AED required.<br />
Must have at least two years successful nursing experience.<br />
Pediatric and community health experience preferred. Salary $36,447-$76,092<br />
Please visit our website at www.staffordschools.net to learn more about the position<br />
and to submit our on line licensed application at www.staffordschools.net<br />
www.<strong>Virginia</strong><strong>Nurses</strong>.com<br />
Published by:<br />
Arthur L. Davis<br />
Publishing Agency, Inc.<br />
Come join our caring team of professionals in a Five Star rated,<br />
CARF-CCAC accredited community, located in the beautiful<br />
Shenandoah Valley. We offer a competitive salary and benefits<br />
package, sign on bonuses and excellent resident to staff ratios,<br />
and are currently recruiting for CNA, LPN and RN positions.<br />
For more information and to apply,<br />
please visit our website at www.svwc.org