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TOWARD FULL INTEGRATION
PROGRESS TOWARD the goals of full integration jumped forward in the post-war period.  In the past five years, the American Nurses' Association has taken the following steps to extend membership to all professional registered nurses regardless of race, color or creed: 

1946
The ANA Biennial Convention adopted a unanimous resolution recommending to all state and district nurses and associations that they eliminate racial bars to membership as soon as feasible.  Changes in the ANA Constitution and Bylaws paved the way for future action. 
During this year Tennessee removed its barriers to Negro nurse membership. 

1948 
The ANA Biennial Convention inaugurated the Individual Membership Program.  This offered direct membership and benefits in ANA to all qualified nurses still not accepted for membership in state or district associations.
The Individual Membership Program was conceived not as a long term project, but as a bridge on the way from exclusion to full state membership.  
On this bridge, Negro nurses are becoming acquainted with ANA, and ANA with them.
At the 1948 convention, the first Negro nurse to hold office in ANA since its founding, was elected to the ANA Board of Directors.

During 1947 and 1948, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, West Virginia, Missouri and North Carolina removed their barriers to Negro nurse membership.

1949
In the summer of 1949, ANA took an extremely important step toward completion integration of minority members.  It suggested that the functions and responsibilities of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses be absorbed in the program of the American Nurses' Association.
This proposal was unanimously accepted by the 35th annual convention of the NACGN.  It is to be considered for ratification by a full membership meeting on January 25-26, 1951.
Transfer of NACGN functions to ANA will prevent duplication of services.  On a broader level, it will give Negro professional registered nurses opportunity to play their parts and to obtain the fruits of combined action on nursing objectives.  
During 1949, Arkansas and Alabama removed their barriers to Negro nurse membership. 
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1950
In January, 1950, the ANA Board of Directors voted to change the name of the Individual Membership Program.  It is now called the INTERGROUP RELATIONS PROGRAM.  The Board also voted that the individual membership become one phase of the larger Intergroup Relations Program.
The platform of the ANA's 1950 Biennial Convention repeated the pledge of cooperation for full integration.  Clause 11 of this platform pledges the ANA to "promote full participation of minority groups in association activities, and eliminate discrimination in job opportunities, salaries and working conditions." 
During 1950, Louisiana voted to implement its 1949 resolution to remove existing barriers to Negro nurse membership. 

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ANA'S INTERGROUP RELATIONS PROGRAM

To carry out its Intergroup Relations Program, the ANA has taken the following steps:
. An Intergroup Relations Unit has been set up in the national headquarters. This unit takes care of special problem in this field pertaining to any minority group, works with state nurses associations in achieving local integration, and develops channels for reaching and servicing individual members. Other units of ANA cooperate closely in the  Intergroup Relations Program.
. The Research and Statistical Unit of the ANA is studying problems of discrimination and integration in its questionnaires and analyses.
. The Economic Security Unit of the ANA is studying differences in salary and working conditions due to discrimination
. The ANA's Legislative Unit interprets intergroup relations and presents intergroup problems om legislation before state nurses committees on legislation and state boards of nurse examiners.
. The ANA's Public Relations Unit includes among its aim a nationwide effort to educate the public in the importance of integrating all minority groups in the framework of American democracy, and the necessity for eliminating discrimination in
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