Mahoney was born in Boston, graduated from the New England Hospital for Women and Children and went on to have a successful career as a private nurse.

She founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses and is honored by a medal awarded annually by the American Nurses Association.

Today IATSE honors and celebrate Boston suffragette Mary Eliza Mahoney for her contribution to the Women's Suffrage movement and paving the way for the women of tomorrow.