Biography

Eileen Bonner was born in 1928 in Brooklyn, NY. With an IQ around 160 she was a genius. In 1944 she graduated from Fort Hamilton High School at the age of 15 and from there, joined the Cadet Nurses Corp. While a Cadet, Bonner entered The Lucy Webb Hayes School of Nursing of Sibley Memorial Hospital and the American University, where she earned her nursing degree in 1948. Continuing her education at the American University she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In addition to attending classes, Bonner worked first in Sibley Memorial Hospital operating room, then at Mount Alto before returning to Sibley. As if this was not enough, during this time Bonner began teaching. Her first class was Operating Room Nursing. Her working and teaching at Sibley Memorial Hospital continued for some time.

In 1976, Bonner traveled to the U.S. Army Academy of Health Science in Texas. She, then spent some time at Polk County Hospital in Corrigan, TX as an administrator. She returned to the East Coast first as a supervisor of surgery/gynecology and then back to New York City around the mid-1960’s to work in Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, NY as the Associate Director of the Nursing. Throughout the 70’s Bonner worked in administrative roles in hospitals around New York City ending up finally, at the Veterans Administrative Medical Hospital as Coordinator of Systems and Planning. Other career highlights include her appointment to the Veterans Administration Advisory Committee on Environmental Hazards and was a member of the New York State Senator’s Legislative Advisory Committee.

Bonner also continued her education.  She completed two Masters. One in Counseling at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus. The other, in Nursing Administration at Teachers College at Columbia University in New York, NY. At Columbia she also was a doctoral candidate for Nursing Administration.

Bonner entered the U.S. Army Reserves as a 2^nd lieutenant. She was promoted to Colonel in 1974. During her time in Reserves she performed numerous duties. She was an instructor, Education Coordinator, a Nurse Recruiter, and Retention Coordinator. Also, she was Director of Schools and Chief Nurse in Hospitals and Medical BDE. She retired from the Military in 1988. In 2012, Bonner passed away.

In addition to her professional and military work, Bonner was active in military associations. She was the first woman to be elected President of the Reserve Officers Association (ROA) in 1984-1986. She represented the United States at the International Confederation of Reserve Officers Associations, as well as sat on local, state and national committees of the ROA. Bonner was elected President of Association of Military Surgeons of the United States and 3^rd Vice-President of the 77^th US Army Reserve Command Association. She also was a member of the Retired Army Nurse Corps Association.

Bonner’s nursing associations include the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA). She was a member of NYSNA for over 25 years, serving on the board, and numerous committees between 1965-1967. Other associations Bonner was involved with was The American Red Cross, Alumni Associations of the schools she attended, MENSA and the American Association for the History of Nursing. At Nurses House, Inc. Bonner was not only a member but also sat on their Board of Directors and was a member of the Development Committee.

Her work was her life. Bonner never married, never had children but she touched many lives.