Rhetaugh Graves Dumas (1926 – 2007)

Inspiration for Activism

Esteemed nursing “leader with vision, insight, and wise counsel who had a major impact in the advancement of nursing, health care, and academic programs“
inspired to become a nurse because of her mother, who wanted to be a nurse but could not because of her race
Strong advocate for Black women and Black nurses, urging baccalaureate education for all
First nurse to conduct clinical experiments that evaluated nursing practices
First African-American woman to be named as a Dean of Nursing, University of Michigan (1981). Subsequently appointed as Vice-Provost of the University, serving until her retirement.
First woman and first nurse to serve as deputy director of the National Institute of Mental Health 1979-1981
As President of the American Academy of Nursing (1987-89), led the establishment of Expert Panels to develop strong policy statements based on nursing expertise