Who was the first black nurse in America?

The first black nurse in America is recognized as Mother Mary Mahoney. She graduated from the New England Hospital for Women and Children in 1879, making her the first black woman to earn a professional nursing degree in the United States. Mahoney's achievements were significant not only because of her race but also as a trailblazer for women in nursing at a time when the profession was predominantly occupied by white women. She went on to advocate for the advancement of minority nurses and was an active member of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses, which focused on improving the practice and education of black nurses.

The other individuals mentioned played important roles in nursing history, but none were firsts in the same way that Mahoney was. Linda Richards is known as the first trained nurse in the United States, Dorothea Dix is celebrated for her work in mental health reform and nurse training, and Virginia Henderson is recognized for her contributions to nursing theory and practice, but none of them were the first black nurse. Therefore, Mother Mary Mahoney’s historic contribution and status make her the correct answer.