By Catherine Pugh,
Special to the AFRO

Shirley Nathan-Pulliam accepted an honorary Doctor of Public Service Degree at the University of Maryland-Baltimore’s commencement on May 18, the latest milestone in a public service journey that has spanned nearly three decades.

As the first African-Caribbean woman to be elected to the Maryland General Assembly, Nathan-Pulliam has impacted countless lives during her career in the medical field and as a lawmaker. 

“Senator Shirley Nathan-Pulliam’s unwavering commitment to public health and her community has created an enduring legacy in Maryland’s legislature,” Tyrone Taborn, publisher, chairman and CEO of Career Communications, told the AFRO. “Her drive to enhance healthcare and equity access for all, particularly for marginalized and underserved communities has brought about profound change. We honor her every year at our Black Engineer of the Year Conference that returns to Baltimore in February of 2024.”

On Jan. 30, her name was placed on the facade of the newest multi-million-dollar wing of the University of Maryland Nursing school.  

Born in Trelawny Parish, Jamaica, on May 20, 1939, Nathan-Pulliam earned her high school diploma in Kingston, Jamaica. She fulfilled her life dream of becoming a nurse by attending Bootham Park Hospital School of Nursing in Yorkshire, England. 

Nathan-Pulliam moved from England to the United States after meeting and marrying an American soldier in 1960. Together, they gave birth to three children: Wayne, Sharon and Warren.

After coming to the United States, Shirley Nathan-Pulliam worked as a licensed practical nurse at Baltimore City Hospital and Bon Secours Hospital.  She earned an American GED in 1969 and enrolled in Baltimore Community College where she obtained her associate degree in nursing, established the Nurses Alumni Association and became its first president in 1980. That same year, Nathan-Pulliam earned her B.S. Degree in Nursing from the University of Maryland and in 1987 received her Master of Science Degree from Johns Hopkins University. She continued to work at hospitals in Baltimore including the now closed Provident Hospital.

Known as the “Mother of the Jamaican” movement in Maryland, Nathan-Pulliam has always been vocal about her love of Black culture.  

“She and I were founders in 1988 of the Jamaican Association,” said Rick Nugent, a former president of the Jamaican Association of Baltimore.

She was a major force in the organization of affiliate chapters of the association throughout the U.S., according to Nugent, who noted that the association will celebrate its 35th anniversary on Aug. 19 at a gala at Martin’s West.  

“There will be busloads of Jamaicans coming from other states she helped organize as affiliates of our Jamaican Association. She has made us all proud,” he said. “My proudest moment was [in 1992] when she took me to meet  [then-presidential candidate] Bill Clinton and told me he would become the next President…and he did.  She is a phenomenal woman,” Nurgent said.

When Pulliam entered Maryland’s General Assembly she immediately began to make an impact.  Her first year in office she secured $2.6 million dollars for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment for low-income women. 

“I met Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam in 1996, when I joined the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as director of the administration’s Community and Public Health Administration,” said Dr. Carlessia Hussein. “We bonded on a mission to improve the health of Marylanders with a special focus on health disparities.”

Hussein added that in 1999 Maryland began receiving an annual allocation from the Cigarette Restitution Fund to assist health initiatives for residents.

“Through then-Del. Nathan-Pulliam’s leadership, our office was able to establish the Minority Outreach and Technical Assistance  Program that directed funds to local health departments,” said Hussein, adding that Nathan-Pulliam “is a star trailblazer” for Maryland.  

“It was her leadership that led to the reduction of Black/White cancer health disparities by 51 percent [in Maryland], according to the 2000-2011 data,” Hussein said.

Dr. Elain Simon said she and Nathan-Pulliam have become lifelong associates. 

“Her contributions will forever be etched in Maryland’s history. She became a nurse for the people,” said Simon. 

Baltimore journalist Kenny Brown, who worked alongside Nathan-Pulliam for 20 years, called her “a force of nature.” 

“Even if she had never entered politics she would have found a way to serve people which is evident in her career choice to be a nurse,” he said. 

Radio personality Donny Glover has recorded numerous events involving the legislator–enough to create his own documentary. 

“She would go to communities that others ignored.  I fondly remember her coming to our community on Carrollton Avenue and taking her time to hear our needs and concerns,” said Glover. “She deserves to be applauded. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam is the quintessential public servant. 

Glover said that Nathan-Pulliam has led a life that rightfully puts her name with that of another Jamaican hero. 

“To me she is the reincarnation of  Queen Nanny of the Maroons who is featured on the $500 note in Jamaica,” said Glover. “Queen of the Maroons Nanny was a fighter against the enslavement of her people.  As a proud Jamaican and an American citizen, Shirley Nathan-Pulliam–throughout her life in the legislature–has been a fighter for her people.”

“Shirley has been and remains a fierce and passionate advocate for affordable health care and a leader on so many issues affecting the physical and mental health of our community,” added Glover.

Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) described Nathan Pulliam as “ simply the best,” adding that now is the time to make sure the former senator knows how much she is loved and appreciated.

It’s no coincidence that Nathan-Pulliam is known across the state of Maryland as “Mrs. Health Care.” The residents of Maryland have been fortunate to have her principled and practical approach to solving issues and lifting people.  

For these reasons and many more that well exceed the number of pages in this week’s paper, the AFRO salutes Senator Shirley Nathan-Pulliam for her decades of dedication and tenacity in serving the residents of Maryland. 

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