Her story is important to know, because it offers an opportunity to learn from the not-too-distant past and explore some of the difficult truths about racism in nursing, the role of the profession in this history, and the effect of these accounts on current diversity and inclusivity efforts.

Lacey meeting with first lady Barbara Bush in the White House in the 1980s.

So write Sandra Lewenson and Ashley Graham-Perel in their article in the August issue of AJN, ‘You Don’t Have Any Business Being This Good’: An Oral History Interview with Bernardine Lacey. In the article, they recount Lacey’s upbringing in the South and the many racial barriers that made it difficult for her in getting an education and pursuing her career—which became a formidable one. As a result of her many accomplishments in education, practice, and leadership, she was named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing in 2014.

Racial barriers remain.

But sadly, the obstacles Lacey faced are not a thing of the past. Events of recent months have brought home more than ever that we have yet to adequately address the barriers that exist from entrenched attitudes and policies leading to structural racism.

Free webinar.

On Wednesday, August 19, AJN will host a free CE webinar, Nursing’s Role in Addressing Racism, in which a panel of scholars and researchers will address the role racism has played in nursing education and practice and how we can make changes for the better. We hope you will join us at 3pm EST.

As I note in AJN’s August editorial:

…nursing must actively address racism by calling it out when we see it; standing up for colleagues who experience it; working to change policies in our educational institutions, organizations, and workplaces; and voting out those who allow it to thrive.

You can also find a podcast conversation I had with Bernardine Lacey and lead author Sandra Lewenson on the AJN website.