In the spirit of diversity, equity and inclusion, the Colorado Nurses Foundation has embarked on a program to honor the legacy of nursing leaders who have defied racism and paved the way for underrepresented nurses in the past and today. As a part of this program, we offer “Legendary Leaders” a series of articles spotlighting these heroic nurses. We begin the series by recognizing Zipporah Parks Hammond.
Zippora Parks Hammond, known as Zippy, was the first Black student to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado School of Nursing, despite segregation and overt racism. She was accepted into the school in 1941, the only Black student in a class of 30. Acceptance into the school was just one of the many obstacles she had to overcome to accomplish her dream of becoming a nurse. She was forbidden from living on the campus, prohibited from studying with white students, and excluded from hands-on learning. In 1943, Zippy joined the Cadet Nurse Corps and was the only Black nursing student out of the 1600 Cadets training in Colorado. In spite of these barriers, Zippy graduated in 1946 and became a Registered Nurse.
After graduating from CU, she began her career as a surgical nurse at Colorado General Hospital and was then recruited as chief surgical nurse for the Infantile Paralysis Center at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. At Tuskegee, she led a team caring for young polio patients of color. Her work helped establish treatment protocols to correct the impacts of the disease. Unfortunately, Zippy contracted Tuberculosis in 1947, which prevented her from continuing her nursing career, but did not deter her from continuing to contribute to the field of health care.
In 1951, she earned her certification as a Medical Records Librarian and later became the first Black director of Medical Records at what is now Presbyterian/St. Lukes Medical Center. During her Medical Records Librarian career, she was instrumental in developing the profession, and was a teacher and mentor for health care students and health care professionals.
In 1956, she resigned to raise her two sons. She became a volunteer at the Denver Public Library, preserving Black history through the documentation of photographs and articles. A woman of modest means, she was nonetheless a philanthropist, donating to numerous Denver charities. Overcoming obstacles, accomplishing dreams, and making history serving others, hers was an extraordinary and exemplary life. She passed away in 2011.
In 2022, Zipporah Parks Hammond was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame. As stated on their website, “Through adversity and setbacks, Zipporah Parks Hammond always found a constructive way forward. An inspiration for countless others, Hammond blazed trails and continued to break new ground for the benefit of generations who followed.” We are proud to honor Zipporah Parks Hammond, a true Legendary Leader.
