National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses

The National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN) was a professional organization for African American nurses founded in August 1908 in New York City to support and elevate African American nurses in the United States during an era of racial segregation and discrimination in healthcare. The organization aimed to improve professional standards, provide educational opportunities, and promote the inclusion of Black nurses in public and private institutions.

Over the decades, the NACGN played a critical role in advancing the status of Black nurses in the United States. It established national headquarters, organized regional networks, and published bulletins to unite and inform its members. By the mid-20th century, the organization had helped thousands of African American nurses gain access to military service, including roles in both the Army and Navy Nurse Corps during World War II. Its leadership, including figures such as Adah B. Thoms and Mabel K. Staupers, shaped the professional landscape for Black nurses and expanded opportunities in clinical and academic settings.

The NACGN's efforts contributed to the eventual integration of the American Nurses Association and the broader movement for civil rights in healthcare.