Celebrate Black History Month with knowledge
Black history is inseparable from the fight for health equity. From past pioneers to today’s changemakers, progress is built on knowledge and action. WSNA has gathered essential DEI resources—including our own and others—to help you learn, reflect, and advocate.
February 11, 2025 • 1 minute, 35 seconds to read
February is Black History Month and WSNA would like to remind members of some resources on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Learn more about how DEI, health equity, and anti-racism work addresses structural harms associated with increased death and illness, poorer care, shortened lifespan, increased perinatal and infant mortality, and other adverse outcomes.
It is particularly important now — as DEI programs face increasing attack — to reaffirm our commitment to DEI and anti-racism.
WSNA’s strategic priorities. WSNA has five strategic priorities and reducing systemic racism is one of them. “WSNA will boldly embrace our commitment to antiracism. We will strive to reduce systemic racism and to achieve a more diverse nursing workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We will develop and engage internal affinity groups while strengthening and expanding our ties with specialty and labor organizations advocating for diversity, equity, inclusivity, belonging, and justice.”
Moving Forward: Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice in Nursing in Washington State is a 22-page workbook to help members create a more equitable nursing practice. The paper has been available since December 2023. The primary author is Meghan Eagen-Torkko, PhD, CNM, ARNP, FACNM University of Washington Bothell and Public Health – Seattle & King County. Contributing authors (listed alphabetically) include Gloria Brigham, EdD, MN, RN; Chuck Cumiskey, MBA, BSN, RN; David Keepnews, PhD, JD, RN, FAAN; Yuting Lin, PhD, RN; Rachel Wang Martinez, MHA, BSN, RN-BC; Mikey Anne O’Sullivan, MSN, RN; and Jamilia Sherls, DNP, MPH, RN, CDP, CP.
Everybody’s Work. Healing What Hurts is all. Join fellow nurses from all fields across Seattle on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, for a special screening and discussion of the documentary by SHIFT Nursing. The film unpacks the critical role all nurses play to achieve health equity. The film features many nurses of color discussing the work that needs to be done and why all nurses need to take part. Register for free tickets.
Racial Reckoning Statement by the American Nurses Association. On June 11, 2022, the ANA Membership Assembly, the governing and official voting body of ANA, took historic action to begin a journey of racial reckoning by unanimously approving the ANA Racial Reckoning Statement. The statement is a meaningful first step for the association to acknowledge its own past actions that have negatively impacted nurses of color and perpetuated systemic racism.
We also celebrate our longtime partnership with the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization, a Seattle-based organization for African-heritage nurses.
WSNA continuing education. Our library includes free courses on health equity, DEI, and cultural humility.