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Ollio Yvonne Battle Felton: A Pioneering African American Nurse, Educator, and Activist

Ivan Turgenev

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A Portrait Of Ollio Yvonne Battle Felton In A White Uniform With A Stethoscope Around Her Neck OLLIO Yvonne Battle Felton

Early Life and Education

Ollio Yvonne Battle was born on October 30, 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia. She was the youngest of seven children. Her father, William Battle, was a minister, and her mother, Ida Battle, was a homemaker. Felton attended Morehouse College, where she earned a degree in nursing in 1944. She then went on to earn a master's degree in nursing education from New York University in 1952.

Nursing Career

Felton began her nursing career as a staff nurse at Harlem Hospital in New York City. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a head nurse and then a nursing supervisor. In 1955, she was appointed as the director of nursing at the newly opened Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital in Harlem.

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by Yvonne Battle-Felton

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As director of nursing, Felton was responsible for overseeing all aspects of nursing care at the hospital. She was known for her high standards and her commitment to providing quality care to all patients. She also worked to increase the diversity of the nursing staff and to promote the advancement of African American nurses.

Nursing Education

In addition to her clinical work, Felton was also a dedicated nursing educator. She taught at New York University, Columbia University, and the University of Pennsylvania. She also served as the director of the nursing program at the Harlem Hospital School of Nursing.

Felton was a pioneer in the field of nursing education. She developed innovative teaching methods and curricula that helped to prepare nurses to meet the challenges of the changing healthcare landscape. She also worked to increase the representation of African Americans in nursing education and leadership roles.

Health Equity Advocacy

Throughout her career, Felton was a tireless advocate for health equity. She believed that everyone, regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status, deserved access to quality healthcare. She worked to address the health disparities that existed in the African American community and to promote policies that would improve the health of all Americans.

Felton was a founding member of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) and served as its president from 1976 to 1978. She also served on the board of directors of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and was a member of the National Advisory Council on Nurse Training.

Civil Rights Activism

Felton was also an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement. She marched with Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders and worked to desegregate hospitals and nursing schools. She also spoke out against the racism and discrimination that she experienced as an African American nurse.

Honors and Awards

Felton's work was recognized with numerous honors and awards. She received the ANA's Mary Mahoney Award in 1975 and the NBNA's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992. She was also inducted into the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame in 2000.

Legacy

Ollio Yvonne Battle Felton died on May 12, 2010, at the age of 87. She left behind a legacy of service and advocacy that continues to inspire nurses and healthcare professionals today.

Felton was a pioneer in the field of nursing and a tireless advocate for health equity. She helped to break down barriers and to create a more just and equitable healthcare system for all. Her work continues to impact the lives of nurses and patients alike.

Additional Resources

* [Ollio Yvonne Battle Felton: A Pioneer in Nursing and Health Equity](https://www.nbna.org/ollio-yvonne-battle-felton-pioneer-nursing-health-equity/) * [Ollio Yvonne Battle Felton, RN, EdD, FAAN: A Nursing Legend](https://www.nursingworld.org/articles/ollio-yvonne-battle-felton-rn-edd-faan-a-nursing-legend/) * [Ollio Yvonne Battle Felton, RN, EDD, FAAN (1922–2010)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3221494/)

OLLIO

by Yvonne Battle-Felton

4.6 out of 5