Mary Keys Gibson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Keys Gibson
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Gibson in 1952
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| Born |
Mary Keys
1854 Mississippi, US
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| Died | 1952 (aged 98) |
| Education | Chautauqua School of Nursing |
| Occupation | Midwife, nurse |
| Known for | Civil rights activism |
Mary Keys Gibson (born Mary Keys, 1854–1952) was an important American nurse. She was born into slavery but later became a professional. Mary worked as a midwife (a person who helps women give birth) for many years.
She earned her nursing degree in 1907 when she was 53 years old. Mary Gibson was the first African American person to get a proper nursing degree in the Southern United States. She also worked hard to help end segregation in nursing. This meant making sure people of all races could work together.
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Early Life and Moving West
Mary Keys was born in Mississippi in 1854. She was born into slavery. Even as a young person, she was asked to care for sick and hurt people. This happened on the large farm, called a plantation, where she was enslaved.
After the Civil War ended, Mary and her family became free. They moved to Sherman, Texas. In Sherman, she met her husband, Reverend Franklin Gibson. The couple moved to Fort Worth in 1872.
Building a Community
In Fort Worth, Mary and Franklin Gibson helped start a church. It became known as the Carter Metropolitan CME Church. Mary Gibson continued her work as a midwife. Her husband encouraged her to get a formal degree in nursing.
Becoming a Nurse
Mary Gibson wanted to become a certified nurse. She attended the Chautauqua School of Nursing. This was a correspondence school. It meant she could study by mail from home.
At that time, schools were segregated in Texas. This meant Black students and white students went to separate schools. The schools for Black students did not offer nursing degrees.
A Pioneer in Nursing
Mary Gibson graduated in 1907. She was 53 years old. She became the first African American person in the Southern United States to earn an official nursing certificate. This was a big achievement.
In 1909, she worked to change laws in Texas. She asked the Texas government to create better rules for nursing education. She also wanted clear standards for nurses to get their licenses.
Fighting for Equality
Mary Gibson worked to end segregation in the nursing profession. She believed that all nurses should be treated equally. In 1948, she helped efforts to desegregate the American Nurses Association. This group represents nurses across the country.
Mary Keys Gibson lived a long and impactful life. She passed away in 1952 at the age of 98.
