This Saturday’s Lecture: Island Nurses in the Great War
Katherine Dewar
Saturday, February 4th – 1:30-3:30 p.m. – Author of Those Splendid Girls “The Heroic Service of Island Nurses in the Great War”
In Those Splendid Girls, author Katherine Dewar combines her love of history and knowledge of nursing to redre
ss a 100-year-old wrong: the absence in the historical narratives of both Prince Edward Island and of Canada, of nurses’ experiences in the real War. Told through the stories of Island nurses, their experiences of mud, blood and courage reflect those of women from all provinces who served amid the horrors of WW I. Dewar identifies at least 115 Island women who answered the call to war, many of whose names have not been known until now. Granted rare access to private diaries and fragile photo albums tucked away in dusty attics, she pieces together their stories of hospitals, bombings, fear and friendships to provide this powerful new account of the war. Katherine has received several heritage awards for research and writing, most recently The PEI Museum and Heritage Award of Honour, given for an outstanding contribution to the heritage of P.E.I. over a long period of time. More info at thosesplendidgirls.ca Books will be available for purchase ($27.95).
The lecture takes place at the Riverview Community Centre, 718 Clyde River Road. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served. We welcome our audience to also take the time to visit our large collection of archives and heritage photos at the community centre.
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Thrilled to learn of Katherine’s achievement in producing this important piece of historical and professional literature. A historically significant social contribution and a creative model for illuminating processes by which a key, once female-dominated helping profession has and does support the well being of our people, even in extremely challenging circumstances. One wonders that we have not easily identified and honoured the full array of contributions that have helped our country’s population fight, survive and grow through serious challenges to social values and wellbeing. I look forward to reading the book and appreciating its contributions to public and professional critical thinking.