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∙ Does the nursing profession practice the principles of democracy?

∙ Are all American women, regardless of race, color or creed, free to study and practice nursing?

∙ Do all state nurses associations accept professional registered nurses as members regardless of race, color or creed?

∙ What is ANA's policy on this issue?

∙What can YOU do to help ANA extend membership to ALL professional registered nurses in the United States regardless of race, color or creed?

YOU WILL FIND the answers to these questions in the following pages, which tell the story of the American Nurses' Association Intergroup Relations Program and show what you can do to aid.

These answers are vitally important to you, to every nurse in this country, and to the people of the United States. They are particularly important today when our democracy is engaged in a global war of ideas and values against totalitarian opponents of our free world.

You can help win this war of ideas by doing your share in strengthening democracy in this country and fulfilling the great American promise for all Americans.

ANA POLICY

The Declaration of Independence says "all men are created equal." Today, when women vote, hold government office, engage in business and practice professions, this means all women, too, are created equal.

Nurses pioneered in establishing equality between the sexes. The nursing profession was among the first opened to women.

The nursing profession was also among the first opened to women of all races, colors and creeds.

The American Nurses' Association, founded in 1896, has always sought to extend its membership to all professional registered nurses regardless of race, color or background.

In its Intergroup Relations Program, it is ANA's policy:

∙ To make professional status the criterion of membership qualification
∙ To eliminate discrimination in job opportunity, salary or other working conditions where such conditions are found
∙ To integrate minority groups within the

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framework of membership so that no professional registered nurse will be barred from national service because of color or creed, or particular desire to represent any minority group.
∙ To establish the integrity of every member of the ANA as a person, as a citizen and as a member of the great honorable profession of nursing.

If you are a member of ANA, this is YOUR policy, and the Intergroup Relations Program is YOUR program.

As a professional registered nurse and a good American you will want to help carry out this program.

TWO PROBLEMS YOU CAN HELP SOLVE

The state and district nurses associations of 43 states, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Alaska have now extended membership to all registered professional nurses, regardless of color or creed.

Until a few years ago, 15 states and one district maintained barriers.

Since ANA adopted its Intergroup Relations Program, ten of these states have removed all racial restrictions to membership. Their action has affected 23,000 nurses.

American nursing faces two questions which must be answered in the interest of our profession and of American democracy:

1. How can those barriers which still exist be abolished?
2. How can intergroup relations be improved throughout the profession?

To help the nursing profession solve these two problems, you should become acquainted with the story of your association's efforts toward achieving integration of all registered profession nurses in the framework of ANA membership.

These facts will prepare you for implementing ANA's Intergroup Relations Program in your state and district.

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