Mabel Keaton Staupers (1890-1989) was a pioneering African American nurse and healthcare advocate who played a crucial role in desegregating the nursing profession in the United States. Born in Barbados, Staupers moved to the United States to pursue a nursing career.

Staupers faced significant discrimination and prejudice as a Black nurse in the early 20th century, where racial segregation was pervasive in healthcare facilities. Despite these challenges, she worked tirelessly to advocate for racial equality in nursing and healthcare.

One of Staupers' most significant achievements was her leadership in the integration of the U.S. Armed Forces Nurse Corps during World War II. Staupers' advocacy efforts helped pressure the government to end segregation in the nursing corps, paving the way for African American nurses to serve on an equal basis with their white counterparts.

Staupers was also a founding member and served as executive secretary of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN), an organization dedicated to advancing the interests of Black nurses and promoting equality in the nursing profession.

Throughout her career, Mabel Keaton Staupers was a tireless advocate for racial equality and paved the way for future generations of African American nurses to pursue their dreams in the healthcare field. Her legacy continues to inspire and uplift Black healthcare professionals today.