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Nursing Sisters of Canada

Nursing Sisters' Association of Canada

The history of the Nursing Sisters' Association of Canada is one which spans the greater part of the Twentieth century. In many ways the Nursing Sisters are a unique group; not only do they represent their own particular vocation, but they are a group that was called upon to practise their profession in wartime and under arduous wartime conditions. Over the years, the Sisters have come from a broad cross-section of Canadian society, but they share a strong common bond and unified comradeship as a result of serving in often horrific situations and circumstances. The history of the Nursing Sisters' Association is tied directly to this shared experience and it is because of it that the Association has evolved through the years.

Like many other national organizations, the Nursing Sisters' Association of Canada has developed from a multitude of local and regional groups. The drive to create a nationwide organization that advanced the interests and concerns of the Nursing Sisters as a whole, came about through a truly grassroots movement and as such, it is truly representative of the diversity of all Nursing Sisters. Over time, it was only a natural process for the local and regional groups to bond together and form a national organization, with common goals and ideals. The nurses realized that they needed to have a representative body, one that could speak for them as a group as well as coordinate the multitude of activities that are common with any national organization.

When the Great War of 1914-1918 was over and the last casualties were transported home, the Nursing Sisters were demobilized and returned to Canada and civilian life. Like the soldiers for whom they were dedicated to care for, many desired to get together to share common memories and experiences about the war. At first, the informal reunions of Nursing Sisters began as small local and regional groups.

Canadian National Nursing Association of Trained Nurses

On the national front, one of the first nursing associations that was national in scope was the Canadian National Nursing Association of Trained Nurses. In 1924, this became the Canadian Nurses' Association; a group that remains in existence to this day. In August 1926, a group of 800 nurses met in Ottawa for the thirteenth general meeting of the Canadian Nurses' Association. The primary purpose of this meeting was purely social providing the Sisters wanted the opportunity to reminisce. At the same time, however, it became apparent that the Sisters wanted more than a chance to share memories. In the finest tradition of nursing, the Sisters also realized that they needed to seek opportunities to continue assisting those in need.

The first organization dedicated specifically to representing Nursing Sisters who had served overseas was formed in Edmonton in April 1920. The new organization, officially known as the Overseas Nursing Sisters' Association of Canada, elected as it's first president, Mrs. John Turner, who had served with No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital at Etaples and No. 15 General at Taplow.

The aims of the organization can be found in its original objectives which were later set out in it's National Constitution:

To foster the spirit of patriotism and love of our King and Country, and to promote National Peace.
To promote a greater feeling of unity and friendship among all nurses who served overseas.
To act as a body when occasions arise which call for united effort.

Before the end of 1920, the new association boasted a total of 39 members, and it was becoming apparent that the idea of overseas nursing associations was catching on. In Montréal in December 1921, Nursing Sisters met to organize their own group, the Montréal Association for Overseas Nursing Sisters. The first chairman was Mrs. Rayside and the Treasurer was Mrs. Stuart Ramsey.

In January of 1922, Nursing Sisters met in Calgary to form their own association and on December 12, 1923, the Nursing Sisters Club was formed in Winnipeg. The first President selected was Mrs. Annie D. McLeod. According to the official record, a total of 80 nurses attended the first meeting.

Several more organizations were subsequently formed in Brandon, Saint John, Halifax, Vancouver, and Toronto and then Victoria, London, and Hamilton.

These independent groups numbered about 12 and there soon began a movement to bring the groups together. It was believed that a truly national organization, made up of all the local groups, would better serve and represent the Nursing Sisters as a whole. The desire to create a National Organization was assisted by a call issued from a meeting on January 24, 1928:

"Resolved that the Association communicate with similar Associations throughout Canada in order to find out their feelings in regard to the formation of an All Canada Association held at the General Congress of the International Council of Nurses."

The response from local associations was positive and in July 1929, an organizational meeting was held at the General Congress in Montréal. The Congress was a great success, with a total of 6,000 nurses from 34 countries attending. From this Congress, the Overseas Nursing Sisters' Association of Canada was born. The Congress approved a temporary constitution and by-laws for the Association. The first National President was Mrs. Ramsay.

On June 26, 1930, the first General meeting of the Overseas Nursing Sisters' Association of Canada was held in Regina. At this time, there were a total number of 15 local associations across Canada. One of the things that was resolved was the question of membership. It was decided that membership would be restricted to "All members of organized associations who have served overseas; and, all Nursing Sisters who are on, or who have been honourably discharged from, His Majesty's Service."

By 1932, the Overseas Nursing Sisters' Association had grown to 667 members, with the largest single groups in Montréal and Toronto. True to its credo of providing services to Nursing Sisters, the organization assisted its members in obtaining further employment and by petitioning the federal government for free hospitalization for nurses in need.

The Vancouver biennial meeting of 1936 brought further amendments to the constitution. Changes allowed membership to any Nursing Sister who had served overseas, "provided she was a graduate at that time."

During the 1939 Royal Visit, during which the National War Memorial was unveiled in Ottawa, the Overseas Nursing Sisters' Association was officially represented at the ceremony which was attended by more than one hundred Nursing Sisters.

Later on in 1944, further changes were made when the word "Overseas" was removed from the name of the Association. This allowed Nursing Sisters who had been selected for service in Canada to finally join their colleagues in the Association. At the same meeting, an offer of affiliation came from the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League.

With the end of hostilities in Europe after the Second World War, the ranks of the Nursing Sisters were swelled by the number that had offered to serve their county in wartime. A total of 2,455 letters were sent to Nursing Sisters from the Association's executive, offering them membership. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, home sisters and dietitians were not offered membership until 1960.

In June 1952, at a biennial meeting, the Agnes C. Neill fund was established to assist non-pensionable, needy Nursing Sisters. Later, the fund was used to advance education through the provision of scholarships. In 1973, the National Council of Veterans' Associations asked Mrs. Gwen Noble of Winnipeg to be an official delegate to the 30th anniversary celebration of D-day.

Today, the Nursing Sisters' Association of Canada still meets and the members remain very active, with a current membership at 785. The 34th biennial meeting, will be held in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in the summer of 1998. At this time, there are 11 units across Canada: Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Windsor, London, Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax and Charlottetown. As long as the Association still has a role to play and a need to fill, it will continue to exist.

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