Lillian Wald

Lillian Wald was born on March 10, 1867 in Cincinnati, Ohio; she died on September 1, 1940 in Westport, Connecticut. She was the daughter of Max D. Wald,a merchant, and Minnie Wald; she nevermarried. Wald is remembered for her dedication to the cause of public health, and for establishing important socialreforms to accommodate the needs of the turn-of-the-century immigrant population in New YorkCity. During her career, Wald was a public health nurse, settlement leader, and social reformer. In 1891, she graduated from New York Hospital for nurses, and in 1893 from Women's Medical College(N.Y.). In 1892, she worked as a nurse at the New York Juvenile Asylum.

Wald achievements were considerable; she founded public health nursing in the United States. With Mary Brewster, she opened theHenry Street Settlementon Manhattan's Lower east Side, providing visiting nurse service and settlement services to the poor residents of that community; she also inspired the organization of similarservices elsewhere. From 1893 to 1933, she was the co-founder and head of the Settlement, which under Wald's directorship acquired worldwide attention and respect. With Lina Rogers, she began the firstpublicschool nursing service in the world. She persuaded lifeinsurance companies, starting with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in 1909, to organize nursing programs for their policyholders.Wald was also apioneer in the field of child welfare, introducing the idea that it is the responsibility of the community to see that children are provided for. Towardthis end, she conceived the ideaof a United States Children's Bureau, whichwas later established at her urging (1912). She originated the plan for the American Red Cross' town and country nursing program. Wald was instrumental inthefounding of the National Organization for Public Health Nursing, and served as that organization's first president in 1912. Wald wrote two autobiographical works, The House on Henry Street (1915),...