Contact: Carol Feuss, MNA
517/349-5640, ext. 21 or (cell) 517/230-4086
carol.feuss@minurses.org
November 5, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mary Sexton, RN, inducted into Michigan Nurses Hall of Fame
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Mary Sexton, Jr. (right) holds a commemorative plaque honoring the induction of her mother, Mary Sexton, RN, into the Michigan Nurses Hall of Fame. Pictured with Mary (left to right) are two of her mother’s friends: Barbara Clarke, RN and Irene Skurski. |
Okemos, MI – Longtime member of the Michigan Nurses Association, Mary Sexton (formerly of Ann Arbor) was the 2007 inductee into the Michigan Nurses Hall of Fame. Mary, who was nominated by University of Michigan Health System RN Lisa Sylvest, passed away in May of this year.
Mary had a lifetime of public service. Upon completion of her nursing education, Mary served in World War II with the U.S. Army Nurse Corps from 1942 to 1944. She was recognized by the American Red Cross for her service to soldiers on the front line on March 21, 2001.
Mary found her calling in public health nursing. She was a public health nurse from 1948 to 1953 and from 1965 to 1982 for the Washtenaw County Public Health Department. She worked as a clinic nurse with Planned Parenthood for ten years, and remained active with Planned Parenthood as a Board member. She continued to remain active as a Planned Parenthood volunteer up until a few weeks before her death.
Mary Sexton’s commitment to women’s health care remains an inspiration. Mary had a special ability to connect with each woman she saw in the clinic regardless of her background, ethnicity or income level.
Lisa Sylvest remarked in her nomination letter, “She exuded a magnanimous spirit, was noble in mind and heart, and was generous with her time to clients, family and friends. Mary was welcoming of diversity and inclusiveness well before it was politically correct or expected.”
In addition to being active in the Michigan Nurses Association for over 30 years, she was a member of the University of Michigan Nursing History Society and Sigma Theta Tau.
Mary also received several honors and awards. She won the Feminist Achievement Award from the Ann Arbor National Organization for Women in May 1993. In 1995 she was inducted into the MNA Washtenaw-Livingston-Monroe MNA District Hall of Fame. Mary received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition as a Salute to Female Leadership in 2002.
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The Michigan Nurses Association is the largest, most effective union for RNs in Michigan. As the voice of all registered nurses in Michigan, MNA advocates for nurses and their patients at the State Capitol, in the community and at the bargaining table. MNA is a constituent member of the United American Nurses and the American Nurses Association and an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.
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