Mabel Keaton Staupers was a pioneering African American nurse and healthcare advocate who made significant contributions to Black history. Born in 1890 in Barbados, she moved to the United States in 1917 to pursue a career in nursing. Despite facing racism and discrimination in the healthcare profession, Staupers was determined to make a difference.

Staupers became a leader in the fight for racial integration in nursing during a time when many hospitals and nursing schools in the United States were segregated. She was instrumental in pushing for the desegregation of the United States Army Nurse Corps during World War II, advocating for the inclusion of Black nurses in the war effort.

Staupers also served as the executive secretary of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN), where she worked tirelessly to improve opportunities for Black nurses and promote racial equality in healthcare. She successfully lobbied for the integration of Black nurses into the American Nurses Association and played a key role in the desegregation of nursing organizations and institutions.

Staupers' advocacy and leadership paved the way for greater diversity and inclusion in the nursing profession, breaking down racial barriers and opening up opportunities for Black nurses. Her work in advancing the rights and recognition of African American nurses has left a lasting impact on the healthcare industry and Black history as a whole. Mabel Keaton Staupers' legacy continues to inspire future generations of healthcare professionals to strive for equality and justice in the field.