"She wanted the word "nurse" to mean something." Betty Philbrook, great-niece

Before adhesive bandages and antibiotics...

Before nurses were considered respected professionals...

Before most women had careers outside the home or could vote...

Before paved roads, airplane travel and telephones were common...

Helen Scott Hay became one of the most honored and decorated American nurses in the world during the first half of the 20th century. Her death in 1932 was mourned across Europe where she established modern nursing training schools.

The entire nursing profession has been elevated and made more valuable because of her life" Hattie Jean Robinson, classmate from Illinois Training School for Nurses

"It is as true of Miss Hay as Florence Nightingale, that her influence will carry on through generations of nurses" Clara Noyes, National Director, American Red Cross

​