Hattie Bessent
*Hattie Bessent was born on this date in 1908. She was a Black psychiatric nurse, educator, and administrator.
From Florida, Bessent received her B.S. degree from Florida A&M University, an M.S. degree from Indiana University, and an EdD from the University of Florida in Psychological Foundations. After being trained as a psychiatric nurse, Bessent had a long and varied career in the nursing profession.
Bessent served as a Deputy Executive Director at the American Nurses Association for the Ethnic/Racial Minority Fellowship Program (EMFP) for 28 years. She developed several programs for nursing professionals and students. Being a member of the Commission for Friendship Treaty for Americans, Bessent went to China with the authorization of former President Jimmy Carter. Dr. Bessent worked at many different institutions during her lifetime. She served as a Professor at Florida University, a Graduate Dean at Vanderbilt University, a faculty member at both the University of Florida and Harvard University, and an instructor at Edward Waters College.
Recognition Bessent was designated as a Living Legend of the American Academy of Nursing at the Academy's 40th Annual Meeting and Conference in 2013. In addition, she was part of organizations such as Phi Lamba Theta and Phi Delta Kappa. Dr. Bessent also received numerous awards, including the ANA's Mary Mahoney Award, Linda Richard Award, and the National Black Nurses Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. Hattie Bessent died on October 31, 2015.
