In the late 19th century, Mormon women were known, by the rest of the world, to be ignorant, submissive to the male society, and helpless. But, when we look at the long list of accomplishments these smart, able women performed, we can see that they were fully capable of extraordinary endeavors. Today, we still feel that mighty influence.

While the men were away as scouts, soldiers, missionaries, or polygamist fugitives, it was the women who stood by, with fierce independence and leadership ability; devoted to their faith. The women were fully capable of organizing a community for the betterment of the society.

There are many well-known Mormon midwives who have always been there to aid expectant mothers. A midwife was more likely to leave a journal or record of her life in terms of the births she helped with. It is important to note that these midwives not only used practical skills, they also offered spiritual gifts and blessings to those they cared for; even to the laying on of hands, to preserve life when necessary.

Within two years of arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young organized the Council of Health. At this time, public health and welfare was a great concern to combat disease and sickness. It wasn’t long before the women, in the council, felt too uncomfortable talking about certain medical issues, that they decided to form a separate Female Council of Health, where the women could speak freely and uninhibited amongst each other.

It was as early as 1869, that women were being trained in surgery and anatomy. Sarah M. Kimball and Mary E. Cook (of Nauvoo sewing society fame) began teaching a physiology class at the Kimball home. Relief Society dues were used to support several women to study medicine back east.

In calling for volunteers to be trained, Eliza announced in the Women’s Exponent:

“Are there here, now any sisters who have ambition enough, and who realize the necessity of it, for Zion’s sake, to take up this study…another class of women is wanted more advanced in age, who are natural nurses, and would be willing to study obstetrics…We have to get up these classes and attend to all these things.”

Women were “blest and set apart” for this professional work. The requisites of a good nurse were “A cheerful, pleasant countenance; a sympathetic soul yet resolute and determined; a sweet musical voice, or at least one who prefers the lower notes to the higher ones; a step quick, but lightness itself, a person who could move around the room without stumbling against the bedstead, or upsetting any article of furniture.”

The first graduating class of a “Relief Society nurse” in Salt Lake City was in 1900. The graduates were told that they were there for charity work. “Our labor is missionary service and should be done with skill, cheerfulness, and love for the Master we all serve.” This school was under the direction of the General Board of the Relief Society. Emma Empey, writing to a colleague in New York City said, “Our nurses as a rule stay night and day at their charity cases the same as at paid cases, and not only nurse the sick, but will care for the rest of the family, especially where there are children…I have never known a nurse to refuse.”

Amy Brown Lyman (a Utah state legislator in 1923 and general Relief Society president in 1940) was one of the first to instigate public health nursing, where classes were taught in schools and homes promoting basic health and hygiene.

Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon (a Mormon physician, later famous as the nation’s first female senator) acted as chief of staff at Holy Cross Hospital. Because W. H. Groves was taken care of so efficiently at St. Mark’s Hospital, he thought it prudent that the church have its own hospital. He donated money to build LDS Hospital and School. Nurses could train locally, instead of the expense of training in the east.

Deseret Hospital, with the exception of two male physicians, had an entire female staff. Cottonwood Stake Hospital handled 1,378 births in five years. There was free nursing service, home cooked meals brought in, and local laundry services provided for all of the patients during their stay.
As you glance through the Woman’s Exponent and the Relief Society Magazine, you will notice an intense interest in nursing, health education, nutrition, sanitation, and child care concerns.

Money made from the grain project (another Relief Society venture), was used to fund early child and welfare work. Milk depots were set up all over the valley where milk, education, and support could be provided.

Indeed, Mormon women are the smartest, free-est, loveliest women on the planet. Given a concern, Mormon women can conquer it. Given a project, Mormon women can fulfill it. Given eternal life, Mormon women will surely reach it. I think we need to make sure the world understands this. Perhaps we need to understand it better ourselves.

Taken from article: “For Zion’s Sake” The Emergence of Mormon Nursing by Elaine Shaw Sorensen, Church Archives