"Nu Chapter: Celebrating 50 years of Nursing Scholarship 1958-2008"
Dear Friends of Nu Chapter,
It is a true joy to be writing you as your "Nu" president. I was inducted into Nu chapter in 1975 and have always held membership to be a significant part of my professional life. I have had the privilege of serving with numerous boards of directors and those now serving give much to Nu of their time and expertise. Thank you!
This year marks a major landmark in our history as we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2008. We have many special events planned! Please "Save the Date" of June 21st, 2008 for a luncheon on the exact day of the 50th anniversary of our chartering. Also for the celebration Nu will host a state-wide conference in Fall of 2008 to showcase nursing scholarship by the ten (and potentially 12) chapters of The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, in Alabama.
In planning for our anniversary, a committee was formed to look at our past achievements and recommend a worthwhile tribute to that history. The committee initiated a memorial to Dr. Margaret Israel Millsap, founding president of Nu chapter and pioneer of nursing in Alabama. The memorial "A Living Legacy" will support scholarships, research and awards that highlight the early, middle and later years of our professional work. Watch for a call to contribute to that memorial.
Last month I spent a delightful day in the company of Dr. Millsap's daughter and learned much about her mother's life and work. I returned with many items of archival quality (and quite a few stories) which we will be preserving. Her influence on nursing in Alabama was profound. She was known as a leader in clinical practice, especially maternal-child nursing and care of children with disabilities. She was "highly involved" and served as a leader for the Alabama Board of Nursing, ALN, ASNA, and was appointed as the first woman and first nurse to the Alabama Board of Health. As we reflect on her life and legacy I am reminded that the spark of enthusiastic involvement is in all of us-students, faculty, practicing nurses, community leaders, and colleagues from many domains. Let us work together to kindle the flame and pass on the spark to others who claim the best of nursing for their own.
On the immediate horizon are two great opportunities for connecting-Founders Day will be Monday, October 22nd at 5:00 PM in the SON. Ms. Sylvia Waweru and Ms. Annette Reynolds, will be speaking on art therapy in research, specifically utilizing art in screening for psychosocial risk, conducted with children who are HIV+ in an orphanage in Kenya. Ms. Waweru is the recipient of the International New Member "Pillar of Leadership" Award from STTI. Ms. Reynolds is a board-certified art therapist and recent community leader inductee. Her work spans over 40 years in psychiatric-mental health nursing, home health care, work with at-risk youth, and special community projects such as founding of The Labyrinth Society of Alabama. The UAB-Samford Undergraduate Nursing Research Day will also be at UAB, Tuesday, December 4th from 1:00 to 4:00. Come see the outstanding projects by out rising nurse leaders from both schools!
Please contact me if you have a story to share about Dr. Millsap, mementos or recollections from the history of Nu Chapter or any questions about Nu Chapter's current events or programs. You carry the spark of Nu Chapter with you!
With highest regards,
Ellen Buckner DSN, RN
Professor and Coordinator of Honors in Nursing, UABSON
President
E-mail: bucknere@uab.edu
Phone: (205) 934-6799