Dr. Smith congratulated and recognized the women who pioneered the path for the nursing career experiences. She paid tribute to Florence Nightingale, the lady with the lamp, for the modernization of nursing. She also commented on Mary Mahoney and Mary Seacole, who contributed in different ways to the healthcare profession, not just nursing. These women laid the foundation for nursing as we know it today. Their commitment to education, equity, and patient care inspires nurses worldwide. Florence Nightingale’s emphasis on education and research lives on in nursing schools. Mary Mahoney’s fight for diversity reminds us of the importance of representation in healthcare. Mary Seacole’s determination to care for others despite discrimination is a testament to the resilience needed in nursing. She used alternative medicine including Caribbean herbs in the healing process.

As we celebrate Women’s Month, we continue to honor their legacies by uplifting, empowering, and inspiring the next generation of nurses.