In the summer of 1909 a group of nurses met at Milwaukee Children's Hospital to form an organization of nurses in the Milwaukee area. Late in 1909 this group met with nurses from Fond du Lac, Madison, Oshkosh, and Racine to work toward a state organization. A constitution and bylaws and Articles of Incorporation were drawn up by the end of 1909. Because it was felt that the likelihood of a quorum was greater in Milwaukee, that city was designated in the Articles of Incorporation as state headquarters even though nurses in other cities now to be part of the state association had organized earlier than the Milwaukee group.
The state Nurses Association was instrumental in drafting a legislative bill providing for the registration of nurses. Work on this bill brought about the formation of the Association's first legislative committee. In July 1911 a bill regulating nursing practice was signed by the governor. This bill aroused much interest among nurses throughout the state and served as a rallying point for them, helping to solidify the organization as a state-wide group.
In 1912 a field secretary was appointed to promote the organization of county and sectional groups. Originally, three districts, Madison, Oshkosh, and Milwaukee, were established. As the parent organization grew in member-ship, county groups formed new districts which were smaller and more accessible. From 1946 to the present (1979) there have been fifteen district affiliates. (See Appendix.)
