Frontier Nursing Service, inc

Mary Breckinridge founded the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS), originally known as the Kentucky Committee for Mothers and Babies, in rural Leslie County, Ky., in 1925.

A member of a distinguished Kentucky family, Breckinridge began her nursing career in 1907. Following the deaths of her two small children, Breckinridge became a spokeswoman for the Children's Bureau in 1918. After the First World War she affiliated with the American Committee for Devastated France and began to realize the worth of combining nursing and midwifery. Upon returning to the U.S. she continued her education at Teacher's College, Columbia University, taking courses in public health nursing and she later studied midwifery at the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies.

The FNS held its initial meeting on May 28, 1925, at the Capitol Hotel, Frankfort, Ky. Breckinridge dedicated her time and efforts to establishing her organization with local residents as well as developing a national network of loyal friends -- members of the city committees -- who remained supporters through the years. Breckinridge's concern for proper professional training insured that staff members were well prepared for their unique careers in the Kentucky mountains. Having observed the success of nurse-midwives in France, England and Scotland, she pioneered the concept in the United States.

From the description of Frontier Nursing Service records, 1789-1985, 1925-1985 (bulk dates) (University of Kentucky Libraries). WorldCat record id: 13674724

Mary Breckinridge founded the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS), originally known as the Kentucky Committee for Mothers and Babies, in rural Leslie County, Kentucky, in 1925. A member of a distinguished Kentucky family, Breckinridge began her nursing career in 1907, following the loss of her first husband. The death of her two small children, Polly and Breckie, during a second marriage had a profound and lasting influence. Breckie's death in 1918, particularly, motivated her toward the care of young children. As a spokeswoman for the Children's Bureau in 1918, Breckinridge traveled throughout the United States gathering information and speaking on the welfare of children. Following the First World War she affiliated with the American Committee for Devastated France, whose mission was to aid the French people in recovering from the horrors of war. Working alongside British nurse-midwives and French midwives, Breckinridge realized the worth of combining the two professions -- nursing and midwifery.

After her return to the United States, Breckinridge continued her education at Teacher's College, Columbia University, taking courses in public health nursing. Breckinridge then spent the summer of 1923 investigating the conditions of midwifery in three Kentucky counties: Leslie, Knott, and Owsley. Returning to Europe, she studied midwifery at the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies and then traveled to the Scottish Highlands to observe the operation of the Highlands and Islands Medical Service. Having observed the success of nurse-midwives in France, England and Scotland, Breckinridge pioneered the concept in the United States. The Frontier Nursing Service held its initial meeting on May 28, 1925, at the Capitol Hotel in Frankfort, Kentucky. Breckinridge dedicated her time and efforts to establishing her organization with the local residents as well as developing a national network of loyal friends -- members of the city committees -- who remained supporters through the years.

From the description of Frontier Nursing Service collection, 1902-2006 (University of Kentucky Libraries). WorldCat record id: 69945576