title: The seventh star: Dorothy Ford Buschmann and the founding of Sigma Theta Tau.
abstract: Several women from the Indiana University Training School for Nurses founded Sigma Theta Tau in 1922. While the legend identifies six student founders, this historical study examined the contributions of Dorothy Charlotte Ford Buschmann (1895-1953), a key advisor whom some might consider the seventh founding star. Sources include primary data from Sigma Theta Tau archives. The findings suggest that Dorothy Buschmann believed that the foundations of professional nursing were love, honor, and courage and that the enduring value of nursing was its contribution to the social good. While Buschmann did not claim credit as a founder, she played a vital role in designing Sigma Theta Tau's philosophy and constitution, extended membership throughout the Midwest, and served as the first national president from 1927-1934.
authors.affiliation: Western Michigan University School of Nursing, Kalamazoo 49008, USA.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hamilton
mesh_terms: D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000266:history*; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D012956:Societies, Nursing / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States