“For changing the healthcare paradigm, and for changing lives, you, Loretta C. Ford, are inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.” With those words, the founding mother of the nurse practitioner movement was acknowledged for her leadership, innovation, pioneering spirit, and sheer tenacity. It was a fabulous moment for my friend, colleague, and mentor, Loretta “Lee” Ford, EdD, PNP, FAAN, FAANP, and a truly momentous occasion for the entire NP profession. For me, it was a time to honor a woman I respect and admire and to witness the next step in the recognition of a profession that is changing the way that health care is delivered in the United States and around the world—a profession that is tremendously important to me and to all NPs.

Dr Loretta Ford was feted and toasted for her nursing innovations—that is, the development of the Unification Model of Nursing and the creation and implementation of the NP role. The 3-day celebrationbegan on Thursday, September 29, 2011, with an evening reception in her honor at the University of Rochester in beautiful upstate New York. The School ofNursing honored Lee, its founding dean, who implemented the Unification Model of Nursing at that school over the 14 years of her deanship. After Interim Dean Dr Kathy Rideout welcomed the 90 guests, she noted Lee’s contributions to the discipline in general and to the University of Rochester School of Nursing in particular. The group was treated to a slideshow that showcased special moments in Lee’s career. The evening was capped off by Dr Joel Seligman, president of the University of Rochester, who offered warm praise and his congratulations.

The event sponsored by the University of Rochester was followed by Induction Weekend at the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York. A lovely reception on Friday evening honored the six living inductees and the  five women to whom the honor was given posthumously. Lee celebrated with Bill, her husband of 64 years, her daughter Valerie, and her son-in-law Chris Monrad. Ever gracious, Lee "worked the room," greeting each person with a personal comment, signing autographs, and posing for photos. Although the party canapés and inductinis were delicious, the best part of the evening was watching Lee move from person to person, lighting up the room with her smile. Bill, Valerie, and Chris could not have been more proud.

October 1, 2011, is an important date in NP history. On that day, at the New York State Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls, New York, the mistress of ceremonies of the National Women’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony announced, “For changing the healthcare paradigm and for changing lives, you, Loretta C. Ford, are inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.” At 90 years young and looking petite, pretty, and like a million bucks in a pink silk dress with a matching sparkly jacket, Lee walked across the stage and received the prestigious National Women’s Hall of Fame medal.

After acknowledging the importance of her family, friends, and colleagues, Lee also graciously credited her award to all of the NPs who are improving people’s lives and making a difference in health care every single day.

Lee reminded the audience that the NP movement is rooted in public health. The goal of the first pediatric NP program, co-founded with Dr Henry Silver, was to expand public health nurses’ roles, emphasizing prevention and health promotion. It is clear that in addition to a focus on prevention and health, many of the basic tenets of NP education today are deeply tied to Lee’s values: social justice, health care for all, and an educated public. She quoted a slogan, "Education is priceless, and the benefits are endless."

The road to launching the NP profession has not been easy. It has been filled with potholes, dangerous curves, broken traffic lights, and a lot of stop signs. Lee recalled the uphill battles for establishing NP education in an academic institution. Many of us remember the various labels that have been, and occasionally still are, used for NPs—midlevels, non-physicians, and extenders—and the physician-led Quack Attacks. We also recall the dramatic fights for prescriptive authority, inclusion of NPs in Medicare reimbursement regulations, and, more recently, the right to lead a medical home. We owe so much to the persistence and leadership of Dr Loretta Ford. She stood up for NP education at the University of Colorado, advocated for the NP in professional nursing organizations, led many of the political fights for recognition of advanced practice, and worked to engage the medical profession in positive collaboration. At various times she has been “kicked and kissed, cursed and credited, reviled and revered.” But, she is quick to add with a grin, “I’ve never been Botoxed or detoxed!” Lee quoted US Chief Justice Earl Warren in her closing remarks, “Everything I did in life that was worthwhile, I caught hell for!” When she ended her remarks with, “My name is Loretta Ford, and I approve this message,” she brought down the house.

Many members of the audience that night were nurses and NPs who came from all over the country to congratulate Lee and celebrate the NP legacy. Although it is not possible to acknowledge everyone who shared this wonderful evening, I'd like to mention some of the attendees. Colorado’s Ellen Lemberg and Dean Patricia Moritz shared their memories of Lee’s participation at the Keystone NP Symposium. Representatives from the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) included incoming president Susan Van Cleve, who shared her pride in Lee’s work in the care of children. The University of Rochester was represented by Jane Tuttle, a long time supporter of NP education. A large group of NPs from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) included Barbara Sheer, Judith Lynch, Mary Anne Dumas, Penny Jensen, and Mary B. Neiheisel. Polly Bednash offered congratulations on behalf of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).Mark Stone (from Milestone Productions), who organizes the Copper Mountainmeeting, and Sandra Ryan (from Walgreens Take Care Health Systems) offered their congratulations. Publishers George and Louise Young and columnist Ed Gruber gave Lee a hug from all of us at The American Journal for Nurse Practitioners and NP World News. I represented the Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation.

The AACN, NAPNAP, the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State, and the AANP/Fellows of the AANP sponsored the event. For everyone, it was an opportunity to celebrate the life and achievements of a great lady—truly a night to remember.

The National Women’s Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates the achievements of distinguished American women. A rigorous selection process is based on three key criteria: the value of their contribution(s) to the development of the United States, the significant national or global impact of their achievement(s), and the enduring value of their achievement(s). Lee was nominated by AANP membersMargaret McAllister, Mary B. Neiheisel, and Mary Ann Dumas. We owe these NPs a debt of gratitude for taking the initiative to forward her nomination.

Over the years, the National Women’s Hall of Fame has inducted 236 amazing, influential, and extraordinary women. These Women of the Hall include leaders who have influenced and shaped the arts, athletics, business, education, government, humanities, philanthropy, and science. They have fought for women’s rights and pushed the boundaries; they have been the trailblazers in their fields. We all recognize some of the names, such as Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Pearl S. Buck, Rosalynn Carter, Julia Child, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Betty Friedan, Helen Keller, Sacagawea, Beverly Sills, Harriett Beecher Stowe, Lillian Wald, andOprah Winfrey.

This year’s inductees continue to reflect the outstanding women being honored and the prestigious nature of this award. One can certainly make the case that Lee’s workto initiate and develop the Unification Model of Nursing, which united practice, education, and research, was an important contribution to the discipline of nursing. However, it is without question her visionary leadership in pioneering the NP movement that makes her so deserving of recognition andmembership in the National Women’s Hall of Fame. From the first PNP program at the University of Colorado in 1965, the NP movement has flourished, forever changing the way that health care is delivered in the United States. At the end of 2010, there were 167,857 NPs nationwide, and the profession is graduating more than 9000 NPs each year (The Pearson Report, 2011). Around the world,more than 40 countries have NP programs in place or are developingthem. By focusing on relationship-based care that is patient-centric, NPs have increased access to and quality of care and have been a highly cost-effective model for healthcare delivery.

Dr Loretta C. Ford found herself in very good company. Five of the other winners continue to make a difference in today’s world. Biographical information about the other winners is provided courtesy of the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

Barbara Mikulski is the first female Democratic US Senator elected in her own right. She has been a political trailblazer, developing and supporting legislation that promotes equal health care for American women, Medicare reform, better care for veterans, greater student access to quality education, and  other causes. She serves as Dean of the Women in the Senate, and in 2011 she became the longest serving female senator in US history.

Dr. Donna Shalala is a groundbreaking educator and politician with more than 25 years of experience as an accomplished scholar, teacher, and administrator. She is recognized as the longest serving US Secretary of Health and Human Services and was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008.

Katherine Switzer was the first woman to officially enter the Boston Marathon, breaking the gender barrier and paving the way for women in running. She has dedicated her career to creating  opportunities and equal sports status for women. In 1984, she led the way to making the women’s marathon an official event in the Olympic Games.

Abby Kelley Foster was a major figure in the national antislavery and women’s rights movements. As a lecturer, fundraiser, recruiter, and organizer, she helped develop the National Women’s Rights Convention in Massachusetts in 1850. She was an organizer of the New England Woman Suffrage Association in 1868, and she worked extensively with the Anti-Slavery Society. She labored tirelessly for the ratification of the 14th and 15th amendments and helped lay the groundwork for the 19th amendment to the US Constitution.

Billie Holiday was one of the great jazz vocalists of all time, and she changed the genres of jazz and pop with her unique style. She began her career in Harlem nightclubs and went on to record and tour with a number of famous musicians, before beginning to record under her own name in 1936.

Coretta Scott King was one of the most celebrated champions of human and civil rights. In partnership with her husband Martin Luther King, Jr, she ignited democracy movements worldwide. For more than 40 years, Coretta Scott King traveled extensively as a messenger of peace, justice, and social action. She was a lifelong advocate for nonviolence and coalition building.

That night, we were all inspired by the valor and the stories of accomplishment of each of the honorees. Lee Ford is nurse practitioners’ Florence Nightingale—entrepreneur, leader, innovator, and pioneer. She has inspired us to be more, to be better, and to stay focused on what is important—our patients. I’m sorry she has “caught hell” along the way, but as author Laurel Ulrich said, “Well-behaved women seldom make history.” So, Lee, since you are still making history, I guess there may be a bit more hell to catch in your future!

This is not the only award that Loretta Ford has won this year. The March/April 2011 issue of NP World News described her receiving the Princess Srinagarindra Award, one of the most prestigious awards in Thailand. And the honors continue to accrue. In March 2012, Lee will be one of 10 women inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.