Campus museum focuses on history of Youngstown nurse union

“Youngstown General Duty Nurses Association: A Legacy of Dignity, Strength, and Caring, 1966–2018” is the title of a new exhibit opening Thursday, Oct. 21 at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor at Youngstown State University.

The official opening is 6 to 8 p.m. Anyone attending the official opening is asked to RSVP at 330-941-1314 or centerofindustryandlabor@gmail.com.
 
The exhibit chronicles the history of the YGDNA, the first nurses’ union in Ohio and the second in the country from its inception over a wage dispute in 1966 to the hospital’s closing just three years ago.
 
The nurses’ union served as a voice for the registered nurses at the Youngstown Hospital Association, eventually extending to Northside, Southside and Tod Babies and Children’s Hospital and Beeghly Medical Park. The union worked to improve conditions affecting the quality of patient care as well as welfare issues of wages, benefits, and the work environment. It protected them and their ability to advocate for their patients and devote themselves to the highest ethics and standards possible. 

The museum faculty and staff thanked YGDNA members for their generous in support of the exhibit through donations and sponsorship of an archival intern for the collection. 

The museum, supported by the Ohio History Connection and managed by the History program at YSU, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Face masks are required. For more information, call 330-941-1314 or visit www.youngstownohiosteelmuseum.edu. A supplementary digital component of the exhibit will be available on the website on Oct. 21.