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VOICE
I had the immense pleasure of meeting one of my heroes the other day. The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA) celebrated its 35th Anniversary in Boston and the TAANA Foundation (TAANAF) presented an award to Anita Hill. The Mary Eleanor McGarvah Award has only been presented five times. It is granted to “an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to the development of health law, nursing and policy.” TAANAF President Randi Kopf presented the award to Professor Hill, noting her courage and commitment to public interest work, equality, and social policy. It was a thrill to meet her in person.
Professor Hill spoke to us as nurses and she spoke to us as attorneys. She talked about the goals nurses have and the goals lawyers have and how they come together for those of us who wear both hats. She discussed speaking truth to power as a means of changing the world. To be effective as patient advocates, nurses must speak truth to power. To be effective as client advocates, attorneys must speak truth to power. It takes courage. Doing so can be unpleasant and uncomfortable. This is one of the reasons Professor Hill has been such a powerful role model for me. She faces her fears and speaks that truth.
She ended her speech by saying, “By giving voice to the voiceless we do change the world.”
These were not hollow words. She did give voice to the voiceless and she did change the world. I have always admired her for that. And now that I have a personal memory of meeting her, my personal world has changed as well.
Thank you Professor Hill.
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