Chapter History: The Young Adult Years (1990 - 2000)
The chapter's young adult years were committed to continuing to fulfill the goals of the Society in light of scientific, economic and technological advances that were occurring within society, health care, and nursing practice. This ten-year period brought forth renewed dedication to the purposes of the Society and the Actions for the 1990s. Activities during this ten-year phase focused on knowledge development, knowledge utilization, knowledge dissemination, and resource development.
In terms of knowledge development, the Chapter continued to support research seed grants, student research, and opportunities to discuss research ideas among faculty and students. In terms of knowledge dissemination and utilization, the Chapter co-sponsored (with 8 other chapters) a Nursing Research Utilization conference in 1991 at the Birmingham Woman's Missionary Union Building. This conference reflected a shift in emphasis from that of developing clinical research to that of making use of what research had already been conducted. 
At the Chapter level, 'Brown Bag' luncheons were held quarterly to facilitate the dissemination of master's student research and to provide opportunities for members and students to think, reflect, discuss, and share their ideas with each other. The Chapter co-sponsored a Founder's Day Research Conference with School of Nursing's Center for Nursing Research for the purpose of sharing research that had been funded by Nu Chapter and conducted locally. Other formal research presentations occurred at the annual chapter meetings.
In 1993 Sigma Theta Tau International sponsored the first national weekly TV news program entitled Nursing Approach which was aired at noon on weekends on CNBC. This one-half hour show was created by, for, and about nurses. The program's emphasis was on promoting a positive image of nurses and nursing. Nu Chapter, in response to a national call for news items, submitted several videoclips. As a result, Nu Chapter members Drs. Anne-Turner Henson, Kathleen Brown, and Ann Sirles had their research featured on Nursing Approach in 1993. On still another occasion, the work of two other chapter members, Drs. Kathy Jimmerson and Charlene McKaig, were featured in their roles as Nurse Practitioners in rural school settings. Nu Chapter was proud to have its faculty researchers and chapter members showcased on national television by Sigma Theta Tau International.
A major chapter event in February 1995 was hosting the Region 3 Assembly at the Wynfrey Hotel. The Assembly was co-hosted by all the chapters in Alabama and Mississippi. The co-chairs for the event were two Nu Chapter members - Lois Luther and Dr. Joan Burttram Carlisle. Over 200 participants from 11 states representing 60 chapters attended the meeting. Dr. Fay Bower, International President, and Executive Director Dr. Nancy Dickenson-Hazard also attended. The meeting was a tremendous success and provided opportunities to renew friendships with colleagues and converse on ideas of significance in nursing.
This ten-year period witnessed rapid changes in the health care arena which contributed to many scholarly discussions about professional issues. The Chapter's educational programs, dinner speakers, Founder's Day presentations, and newsletters highlighted the many professional issues that were emerging at that time. These issues were varied and related to such topics as using the computer for NCLEX, conflict resolution, clinical scholarship, collaboration, outcomes evaluation, capitation-based managed care, mentorship, informed consent, advanced practice legislation (in Alabama), and case management. This last topic was the focus of a workshop which the chapter co-sponsored with UAB Hospital. In June 1992 the Chapter welcomed Dr. Ruth Tucker, Region 3 Coordinator, who conducted a Leadership Workshop for chapters in Alabama and Mississippi. While in Birmingham, she spoke at the induction ceremony on June 28th.
The major vehicle for chapter communication, the newsletter, published articles on chapter-sponsored research and on contributions chapter members were making to professional nursing as administrators, authors, educators, and military personnel. The newsletter also kept the chapter alumni informed about the curricula changes that were occurring in the baccalaureate and graduate programs in response to changes in the health care arena.
In response to the expansion of the Society into the international arena during the late 1980s, the chapter became more sensitive to the 'International' perspective of the Society and entered a new phase of chapter development. One of the earlier scholarly presentations during mid 1980s at an Awards Dinner was a talk on Women's Health Worldwide. Concurrently with the emphasis on international emphasis at the Society level, the chapter's newsletter began to spotlight Nu Chapter members who were native to Korea, Taiwan, and India. In the late 1990s, the School of Nursing began to host international nurses as Visiting Scholars and students in the graduate program. Also, the School of Nursing, which was a WHO Collaborating Center, sent faculty to serve as visiting scholars to universities in Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Jordan and Barbatos. These international contacts increased the number of international students enrolled in the nursing educational programs, and this eventually contributed to the induction of several international students into Sigma Theta Tau International, one of who was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Student award in 1999 - Wanchai Moongtui - a doctoral student from Thailand. This was the first time that an international student had received this excellence in scholarship and leadership award. Another international opportunity for the chapter was its designation as the Mentor Chapter for the first chapter in Australia (XI Omicron) at the University of Western Sydney.
Special recognition opportunities became available during this ten-year time period. At the International level, Nu Chapter donated $2,500 to the 75th Anniversary Campaign of Sigma Theta Tau International and $500 to the Nell Watts Endowment Fund. Nell Watts retired in 1993 after serving 20 years as the first, full-time Executive Director of the Society. At the local level, the chapter contributed money for the framing of pictures of Distinguished Alumni Award recipients for School of Nursing's Wall of Fame. Also, on the occasion of the dedication of a classroom in the Staff Development department of UAB Hospital, the chapter dedicated a plaque honoring Virginia Henderson, the person for whom the classroom was named. Dr. Henderson was our modern day Florence Nightengale.
The chapters Presidents who provided the leadership through these Young Adult Years were: Eleanor Howell (1991-93), Sandra Burfitt (1993-95), Glenda Brogden (1995-97), and Priscilla Daffin (1997-99). These chapter leaders were committed to promoting and recognizing scholarly endeavors, getting nurses in practice settings involved with chapter activities, and continuing to recognize excellence in nursing while adding an international agenda to our chapter activities. They were a dedicated group of nurse leaders who prepared the chapter well for moving into the 21st Century.