Florence Nightingale’s Early Life
Florence Nightingale lived a very different life than other women of her time. She was born in 1820 to a very wealthy British family. Her parents were both brought up as Unitarians. A Unitarian is a Christian who does not accept the doctrine of the Trinity, a doctrine that was a basic test of adherence to the official established Church of England (Small, 1998, Chapter 2). Florence’s mother considered herself an Anglican, for social reasons. She wanted her children to follow her ways. Florence, despite her mother’s opinion, considered herself to be a Unitarian, with a great devotion to God. During her life she would show her devotion to God with works of deeds in helping others.
As a child Florence,
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They encountered dying soldiers amid unsanitary conditions. The hospital was infested with lice, fleas and rats. There was also a lack of supplies and food. The main problems Florence noted were a good diet for the soldiers to eat, dirty facilities, and lack of drainage.
Florence had the authority to requisition supplies, and with this power came opposition from the doctors and officers. At first, Flo and the nurses were not allowed to care for the soldiers. She did not let this stop her from doing what she felt was right. First, she had the nurses clean up the hospital wards. Then she purchased towels, clean clothes, soap, dishes and utensils. The Sanitary Commission flushed out the sewers and improved ventilation. As the number of injured soldiers grew, the doctors began to accept Flo and her nurses. They were then allowed to help the soldiers.
The injured soldiers were very grateful for Florence Nightingale. She would check on her patients every night, carrying an oil lamp to lead her way. This is when she got her nickname, “Lady with the Lamp”. She was the one who took care of the patients that doctors or other nurses wouldn’t. She also would pick up the slack when nurses were sick. She would work endless hours doing God’s will to serve
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This fund was established to thank Florence Nightingale for her contributions to the war and to help her with her mission. Herbert used a letter written from a soldier to help get donations. The letter stated, “What a comfort it was to see her pass. She would speak to one and nod and smile to many more, but she could not do it to all, you know. We lay there by hundreds; but we would kiss her shadow as it fell, and lay our heads on the pillow again, content”. This letter showed how important she was to