[This text is machine generated and may contain errors.]

Speaker 1 [0:00]
Can you tell me what happened?

Speaker 2 [0:03]
Well we was riding in the road. I don't know what happened but trip went off the road. And that's the last thing I remember, I don't know what happened.

Speaker 3 [0:19]
On the historic 75th anniversary of NCNA, this session of the House of Delegates is called to order.

Speaker 4 [0:41]
So began the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the North Carolina Nurses Association, an event that took place during the three hectic days of October 17th through 19, 1977 at the Royal Villa Convention Center in Raleigh. In attendance were nurses from all across the state, as well as distinguished guests from throughout the nation. The tone of the celebration was set by Rebecca Taylor, current president of NCNA, in a stirring speech that emphasized the importance of the past, as it relates to the visions of the future.

Rebecca Taylor [1:23]
In 1835, after studying the American people and their system of government, a French statesman by the name of Alexei de Taquile, wrote, democratic nations care little for what has been, but they are haunted by visions of what will be in this direction their unbounded imagination grows and dilates beyond all measure. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of NCNA, I hope we will not, quote care little for the past, as he suggested. Instead, I hope that you will let your mind wander through the past and evaluate it carefully. For only knowing what has occurred before us, can we understand what and where we are today. At the same time, however, I hope you will look toward the future with unbounded imagination, and with visions of what can be for us, with openness with honesty, and with a great sense of responsibility. We can be grateful for the foresight and courage of Mary Lewis Wyche in 1902. She helped NCNA become a reality and then worked diligently through this organization for the passage of the first Nurse Practice Act. And the first nurse registration law, she set NCNA on a course of progressive and professional action that has continued over the years. Ours is a history of success, and a failure of joy and frustration. But most of all, it is a history of committed dedicated and caring nurses who believed in and struggled for the improvement of nursing and health care in our state. The achievements of this past biennium were realized only because there has continued to be a strong nucleus of caring committed nurses actively working in this association. I have seen hundreds of NCNA members directly participate in state committees and commissions, and many, many more have been involved actively involved at the district levels. Because of your concerted efforts, things have happened, such as nurses being appointed to every HSA Health Systems Agency board, and a nurse being appointed to the State Health Coordinating Council for the HSAs. There has been an ever growing interest and involvement by members in legislative matters, a clear indication that we are realizing that nurses do have important knowledge and can make contributions. An outgrowth of this increased political awareness has been the formation of the Nurse's Political Action Coalition. The coalition can greatly strength strengthen our influence in the political arena, but only if you support it and convince your colleagues that nurses can and must influence political decision making

Speaker 4 [4:49]
Then Governor James B. Hunt Jr. saluted the organization by expressing the gratitude of the people of North Carolina to its nurses and affirming his intentions to consult with NCNA, in the area of growing healthcare needs.

Governor James B. Hunt Jr. [5:04]
I'm very proud of the progress that you're making. I was interested in writing out today, for example, madam president in, in looking at that little brochure that described your anniversary year lectures, and I wish that I could have I wish I could have attended them. Because you've been looking at some of the tough ethical and, and social questions that healthcare professionals are facing today. And, and really that all of us, as citizens in this country are facing, like, who controls health care? And what will future populations need, and the changing nature of nursing itself? The fact that you are, are looking at these broad questions, these large questions, as a profession, and as leaders of North Carolina who are nurses, makes me happy. And I will say to you this morning, that, that we do need your full participation, we do need your ideas as to how we can best provide the kind of care that our people need. You have really matured, and in a sense come of age as a profession.

I'm proud that you're speaking for yourselves. But more than speaking for yourself, you're speaking for the people. And you're speaking of their needs, as you see them. And in a real sense, you're closest to them, perhaps, and almost anybody is we need that. If this state's going to be what it can be, and what it ought to be, if we're going to realize our full potential as a people in North Carolina. We need to have the people who are really involved speaking out and pointing up what our needs are. And doing it from that very human close perspective that I think you have in a way that nobody else really has. I think you ought to take pride in the fact that you're one of the most respected professions in our country. For example, I happen to know that you're way ahead in the in what the people say in the surveys when they you know, rank the various professions and groups in terms of, of how they're respected. You're substantially ahead of politicians. And government officials. I think your high standing is, is because of your high ethical standards and your real concern for people. I think more than anything else, it's because you are known to go that extra mile. Perhaps more than any other profession or group in our society. You're known for doing that.

Speaker 4 [8:27]
Laudatory remarks are commonplace for North Carolina nurses today. Their professionalism stands out as a standard to be emulated by those of other professions. But though nursing has been practiced in North Carolina since colonial times, its practitioners have not always been considered worthy of praise. During the Revolutionary War, the women employed as nurses had no formal training and no standard uniform. In spite of some significant scientific developments in the medical field, there was still a lack of understanding of bacterial infection. And in army camps, the incidence of infectious disease was alarming. These nurses were primarily responsible to see that the sick and wounded were cleaned, fed and made more comfortable. It has been said that they were usually undesirables who could do nothing else. By the time of the Civil War, very little had changed. In North Carolina, there were still no trained nurses. Although many women from all walks of life volunteered for service as nurses. Folk remedies substituted for known medicines that were in short supply. Carpet served as blankets and gray moss was wound packing. But even during those turbulent times, the dedication to nursing was apparent as these volunteers cared for the wounded tenderly and even fed them from their own kitchens on occasions. The years following the Civil War demonstrated a profound need for trained nurses throughout the country. Because of industrialization, immigrants flocked to America to congested cities, and communicable diseases became rampant. In July of 1894, things began to change in North Carolina. Mary Lewis Wyche recently graduated from the Philadelphia General Hospital was named head nurse of Rex Hospital in Raleigh. In October of that year, she began the first training school for nurses in the state. The school began with five students and was in session four times a week, but only when the hospital was not in need of Miss Wyche's services. The classes included anatomy, surgery, obstetrics and practicing nursing. In 1901, Miss Wyche attended a nursing meeting in Buffalo, New York, and heard about the need for legislation and registration. In October of that year, she organized the Raleigh Nurses Association in 1902, that group organized what is today the North Carolina Nurses Association. NCNA immediately became active in political affairs and achieved a significant first in the nation when its lobbying effort resulted in the passage of the Nursing Practice Act of 1903 by the North Carolina legislature. It was the first statute ever passed in the United States that called for universal compulsory registration of anyone wishing to practice nursing in a state. That in turn led to the emphasis on professionalism that pervades current day nursing philosophy. One of the most fascinating features of the convention was a special presentation of the uniforms worn by nurses over the years. Developed by the Alamance County District Association of NCNA. This portion of the program captured the spirit of the gala event.

The keynote speaker was Anne Zimmerman, president of the American Nurses Association.

Anne Zimmerman [15:30]
Isn't this a glorious occasion to be here on the 75th anniversary of the State Nurses Association, and one that has given birth to so much important affective national leadership to the profession of nursing. I cannot mention even one person, because to do so, would eliminate dozens of others whom I know and love. And so I will refrain except to say, this is a wellspring of good for the health of this nation, through its offering of nursing leadership, I've always felt that way. It's a privilege to be able to say it tonight. I think that you have undertaken a lot. And I'm sure that what that [Lib Holly] would say thank you [Rose George], for doing it. There are two extremely important adventures of state nurses associations, I think this year in which I've been able to participate. One was Chautauqua of the Colorado Nurses Association, which is the biggest adventure and in the continuing education of any state in the ANA. The other one, and they're not in order of importance. The other one is North Carolina. And it's celebration. When I got the brochure telling what you were doing. And I got my calendar, which I used all year, I cherished it for the effort that you were making to bring attention in a positive way to nursing here and elsewhere. And I do bring you certainly the greetings of the American Nurses Association as I speak on their behalf.

Speaker 4 [17:38]
The turn of the century heralded new developments in nursing World War One and the resultant worldwide epidemics of the early 1900s created the greatest demand yet for nurses and over 24,000 served during the war under the aegis of the Red Cross. This era helped make Americans become more fully aware of their reliance on nursing. Although few North Carolina nurses could qualify for Red Cross service before the war began. Some 111 were allowed to serve after formal requirements were way.

World War One was followed by the Jazz Age, vast industrial development, overproduction, changing moral values and the stock market collapse. Nurses struggled for reasonable working conditions. During the New Deal, the American Nurses Association took advantage of new federal laws to seek out those greatly needed reforms. In 1934, it adopted the eight hour workday for nurses and for the next decade lobbied extensively for progressive legislation.

World War Two placed unprecedented demands on the nursing profession. 1/4 of all active nurses in the United States saw military duty, more than 1100 of them were North Carolinians. Significantly, civilian nursing needs also increased.

In 1947, following the leadership of the American Nurses Association, which urge state and district associations to eliminate racial barriers to membership, an invitation was extended to and accepted by the Negro Nurses Association of North Carolina to join and NCNA. Since that time, the organization has worked to better the status of all registered nurses. Nursing has come a long ways since the founding of the North Carolina Nurses Association, but it has yet to reach its full potential. Mary Mills, renowned international health consultant, and honored recipient of many distinguished awards, urged the association forward with a call to action.

Mary Mills [20:12]
We nurses represent change agents, who will take the message along with service to the corners of our nation and the world. From the most remote rural area, to our nation's capitol, and onward, wherever we are needed. We have the professional capability, the experience, the desire to render service forever and whenever needed, and we have the numbers in terms of manpower, we nurses represent almost two thirds of the nation's health manpower. In the past, however, somewhere along the way, we have been too busy and involved in carrying out orders and performing with excellence. The role is delegated to us that we have regained our responsibility for that crucial civic leadership role so urgently needed, and helping our nation to reach his people potential greatness in the area of comprehensive service to all Americans. It is a reflection on women in particular, for having permitted such to happen to us down through the years. With that, with the remaining time available in this century, that we will hit united and join with all citizens and helped our nation to face its unfulfilled moment of truth. By putting into realization, the assurance that a basic health conservation and protection system would assure every American citizen from the cradle to the grave. And yes for our friends who visit us from other countries, as they share with us, when we visit their countries that required care and services are available, when and where needed. What an expectation to be hoped for in a in our lifetime. And what a privilege, it is for us nurses, to have the opportunity to share in helping to make that hope and dream become a reality. Peter Drucker, in "Landmarks of Tomorrow" writes, in a time of change and challenge, new versions and new dangers, new frontiers and permanent crisis, suffering and achievement in a time of overlap such as ours. The individual is both all powerless and powerful. He is all powerful, no matter how lowly if he knows himself to be responsible. How much are we willing to share and give ourselves? Are we willing to accept the challenge for change? Are we willing to accept the responsibility?

Speaker 4 [23:08]
The past 75 years have wrought many changes in the North Carolina Nurses Association, not the least of which has been it's open acceptance of both black and male members into its ranks. So complete has been this acceptance that the convention installed Russell Eugene Tranbarger, as its first male president, and Ernestine Small was selected as its first black president elect. Throughout the convention. There was socialized intermingling and gaiety but when these dedicated nurses are on duty, they're all business.

Speaker 1 [23:50]
How do you feel in your chest or your back?