Martha Minerva Franklin facts for kids

Martha Minerva Franklin (born October 29, 1870 – died September 26, 1968) was a very important nurse. She worked hard to make sure all nurses, especially African American nurses, were treated fairly. She fought for equal chances for everyone in nursing.

Early Life and Education

Martha Minerva Franklin was born on October 29, 1870. Her family lived in New Milford, Connecticut. She had two siblings, Florence and William. Her father, Henry J. Franklin, was a soldier. He fought in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Martha finished Meriden Public High School in 1890. She was one of the few African American students in her class. In 1895, she moved to Philadelphia. There, she went to the Women's Hospital Training School for Nurses. She graduated in December 1897. Again, she was the only African American in her graduating class.

After becoming a nurse, Martha went back to Meriden. She worked as a private nurse, visiting people in their homes. Later, in the early 1900s, she moved to New Haven. She joined many important African American groups in the city.

Fighting for Fair Nursing

In 1906, Martha Franklin started looking into how black nurses were treated. She sent over 500 letters to black nurses. She also wrote to nursing schools and groups. She wanted to learn about the experiences of African American nurses.

Martha found out that the big American Nurses Association allowed black members. But many State Nurses Associations did not. To join the national group, you first needed to be a member of your state group. This rule stopped many skilled African American nurses from joining the main association.

Starting a New Group

Martha Franklin then sent 1,500 letters to black nurses. She suggested they all meet to talk about these problems. Adah Belle Samuel Thoms helped host the first meeting. It took place at the Lincoln Hospital and Home in New York City.

Fifty-two nurses came to this important meeting. They decided to create a new group. It was called the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN). Martha Franklin was chosen as its first president.

The NACGN had three main goals:

• Make nursing training better for black nurses.
• Reduce unfair treatment in nursing.
• Help black nurses become leaders in their field.

The NACGN got help from the National Medical Association. This was a group of black doctors. The NACGN was invited to hold its meetings at the same time as the doctors. Also, articles written by nurses were printed in the doctors' journal. In 1951, the NACGN joined with the American Nurses Association. This was a big step for equality in nursing.

Later Career

In 1928, Martha Franklin moved to New York City. She took a special six-month course at Lincoln Hospital. After this, she became a registered nurse. She then started working as a nurse in public schools. Between 1928 and 1930, she also studied public health nursing. She took classes at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Later Life and Legacy

Martha Franklin retired and moved back to New Haven. She passed away in 1968 when she was 98 years old. She is buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery.

Honors and Awards

Martha Minerva Franklin received special honors after her death:

• In 1976, she was added to the ANA's Nursing Hall of Fame.
• In 2009, she was honored by being put into the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame.