Planting the Seeds of Change, Nursing Pioneers Expanded Opportunity and Improved Lives
For 250 years, the American story has been shaped by individuals who challenged barriers, expanded opportunity, and worked to create a more equitable future. At the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), few stories better embody that spirit than those of two trailblazing graduates of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON): Esther E. McCready, DIN ’53, and Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, MAS, BSN ’80, RN, FAAN.
Today, their names greet students, faculty, and visitors outside the UMSON building on West Lombard Street — a powerful reminder that progress is often driven by those who are willing to be first.
These pioneers were recognized during UMSON’s “Seeds of Change” event in 2023, which celebrated the school’s building renovation and expansion while honoring two women who hold honorary degrees from the school and whose influence extends far beyond nursing. Their legacies helped transform education, health care, public policy, and opportunity in Maryland and throughout the nation.
In 1950, McCready became the first African American admitted to UMSON, breaking a racial barrier that reflected the broader struggle for civil rights occurring across America. At a time when segregation limited educational opportunities for African Americans, McCready challenged the status quo and opened doors for generations of students who followed.
Her courage represented more than a personal achievement. It also reflected the evolution of the United States toward the ideals of equality and access promised in its founding documents. Through determination and resilience, McCready helped make higher education more accessible and inclusive, strengthening the nursing profession and the communities it serves.
A generation later, Nathan-Pulliam carried that legacy of service and leadership into health care and government.
After earning her nursing degree from UMSON, Nathan-Pulliam built a distinguished career caring for patients while becoming a powerful advocate for public health and underserved populations. Her work as a Maryland state delegate and then senator brought a nurse’s perspective to policymaking, helping shape legislation that improved health care access, public health, and community well-being.
Throughout U.S. history, nurses often have served as trusted leaders during times of challenge and change. Nathan-Pulliam exemplified that tradition, demonstrating how health professionals can influence individual patient outcomes and the policies that shape communities.
Together, McCready and Nathan-Pulliam represent two distinct chapters of the American experience. One helped break barriers to educational opportunity. The other helped translate health care expertise into public service and policy leadership. Both used their education to improve lives and bolster their communities.
Their stories also reflect the enduring mission of UMSON, which for more than 135 years has prepared nurses to lead, innovate, and serve. From advancing health equity to informing public policy, UMSON graduates have helped address some of the nation's most pressing health challenges.
As America commemorates its 250th birthday this year, the stories of McCready and Nathan-Pulliam remind us that the nation’s progress is measured not only by historic events but also by individuals whose courage and commitment create lasting change.
The expanded UMSON space stands as more than a building enhancement. It serves as a tribute to two women whose lives embody the promise of American progress and an inspiration for future generations of nurses who will continue advancing health, equity, and opportunity in their communities and their country.
Read more about McCready, who received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from UMB in 2015.
Read more about Nathan-Pulliam, who received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from UMB in 2023.