History of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Conclave of Grady Graduate Nurses Inc.
The earliest date regarding the beginning of the Atlanta Chapter was 1965. This date was found in the History of Grady Memorial Hospital School of Nursing by Mrs. Verdelle Bellamy.
From 1965 to 1989 there was no information located about the Atlanta Chapter of NCGGN, Inc. In 1989, when the group agreed to host the 1991 National meeting in Atlanta, Mrs. Inetz Stanley became the President of the group and the following other officers were elected: Ruth Adams, Vice-President; Diann Batchan, Secretary; Dora Way, Corresponding Secretary; Phyllis C. Schelling, Financial Secretary; Beulah Brown, Treasurer. In 1991, the Tenth Biennial National Conclave of Grady nurses was held August 14-17, 1991 in Atlanta, Georgia. Meetings were held monthly until the 1991 Conclave. There were no meetings after the 1991 National Grady Conclave in Atlanta until 1999.
In 1999 Mrs. Barbara Green, who was the National Conclave secretary, and Ms. Lizzie Alexander agreed to host the National Conclave in Atlanta for 2001. Upon returning from the 1999 National Conclave, Ms. Alexander and Mrs. Green sent letters and phoned as many Grady graduates that could be reached for a meeting at the Grady cafeteria. At that time, the following officers were elected: Mrs. Barbara Green, President; Ms. Lizzie Alexander, Vice President; Mrs. Inell Robinson, Recording Secretary; and Mrs. Beulah Brown, Treasurer. Mrs. Stanley was listed as the Director or President Emeritus. The chapter was re-formed and met monthly in preparation for the 2001 Conclave. The Fifteenth Biennial National Conclave of Grady Nurses was held August 15-18, 2001 in Atlanta, Georgia. After the Conclave, The Atlanta Chapter continued meeting bi-monthly.
In May 2002 the By-Laws were developed. Mrs. Barbara Anderson chaired the By-Laws Committee and the By-Laws were approved on May 18, 2002.
Auburn Avenue Research Library and Georgia State University have archived much of the history of the National Conclave of Grady Graduate Nurses, Inc. including Atlanta Chapter information.
Contact Information
The National Conclave of Grady Graduate Nurses, Inc. Atlanta Chapter
P.O. Box 160263
Atlanta, Georgia 30316
Non-Profit Organization-501c3 Status
The organization became a non-profit organization in the state of Michigan, under the name National Conclave of Grady Graduate Nurses on April 5, 1977. It is a Michigan Domestic Non-Profit Corporation. The Atlanta Chapter of the National Conclave of Grady Graduate Nurses, Inc. uses the same numbers as the national organization.
Web Access
The National Conclave of Grady Graduate Nurses, Inc. website that has the Atlanta Chapter web page can be accessed at http://ncggn.org
Membership Committee
The membership committee receives and reviews all membership applications for completeness. They make recommendations for membership to the chapter on all applicants. If you would like to become a member and receive a membership application contact:
NCGGN, Inc., Atlanta Chapter
Membership Committee Chairperson
P.O. Box 160263
Atlanta, Georgia 30316
Events
White Dress Scholarship Luncheon
The White Dress Luncheon was first held in the summer of 2014 in an Atlanta hotel. Mrs. Yvonne Young was chapter president and Mrs. Rosalyn Williams chaired the event. The purpose initially was to provide a daytime, summer, social event for the membership. Chapter members did not pay to attend the luncheon. However, there was a charge for guests.
By 2015 the luncheon became an annual fund-raising event for student scholarships and an award ceremony for those nursing students who were recipients of scholarships that year. Members and non-members donated to the scholarship fund. The national organization had a representative attend the luncheon and the national organization’s scholarship was awarded to an Atlanta student.
In 2016 the Programs and Projects Committee, chaired by Mrs. Barbara Anderson, assumed responsibility for planning the White Dress Scholarship Luncheon. The Atlanta Chapter awarded scholarships to three nursing students. The National Conclave of Grady Graduate Nurses, Inc. also had a representative present who awarded the national organization’s scholarship to an Atlanta student.
The 2017 luncheon was held to award scholarships and in celebration of Mrs. Ludie Andrews, founder in 1914, of the Grady Memorial Hospital Municipal Training School for Colored Nurses. In 1917, the charter and Accreditation was obtained for GMH Municipal Training School for Colored Nurses and 2017 marked 100 years since the charter was obtained. The school later became known as GMH School of Nursing. The Programs and Projects Committee began to raise funds and solicit ads from local businesses to be placed in the program for the White Dress Scholarship Luncheon. These funds would substitute for two sources of funding (Fun Night and Casino trip) that had been eliminated. Each graduating class was encouraged to have a table of ten attendees.
Community Service/ Programs and Projects
The Atlanta Grady Conclave members have all served in many different volunteer capacities. In 2015, we agreed to plan two volunteer projects for members to collectively participate in during 2016. One project would require active involvement and a second would only require a monetary donation. From a list of several projects, the group selected Hands on Atlanta/Meals on Wheels for their active involvement. Volunteer orientation was scheduled and attended by several members and many are now working actively with the organization as schedules permit.
Our selection for donation only was Genesis, a shelter that provides services for women and children. Melba Hill-Paschal was the coordinator of the Community Service Projects.
Winter Retreat
The National conclave of Grady Graduate Nurses, Inc., Atlanta Chapter held the first Winter Retreat in January 2017 at Atlanta Technical College. Mrs. Betty Walker, Vice-President of the Atlanta Chapter recommended that the chapter have a Retreat to enhance communication and team building among members. The Board of Directors and membership agreed to have the Retreat. At the Retreat, Mrs. Joyce Beeks, Chapter President, conducted ice breaker exercises and introduced the Retreat Facilitator, Mrs. Claudia Ann Taylor Buckley, RN, M.Ed., a Grady nurse, class of 1965. Mrs. Taylor Buckley is a psychotherapist, life coach, and retired Lieutenant-Colonel of the United States Air Force. The event was free and open to members only. A lunch was provided for the half-day Retreat. Attendees stated that the Retreat was effective in accomplishing its purpose.