17吃瓜

April鈥檚 edition in the Island Studies Lecture Series features author Katherine Dewar speaking about 鈥淭he Making of a Canadian Military Nursing Heroine.鈥� The heroine in question is Prince Edward Island鈥檚 own Georgina Fane Pope (1862鈥�1938) and is the subject of Katherine鈥檚 soon-to-be-released book from Island Studies Press: Called to Serve. The April Island Studies Lecture takes place on Tuesday, April 17, at 7:00 pm in the Faculty Lounge of 17吃瓜鈥檚 SDU Main Building.

How does a young woman, born in 1862 into privileged circumstances in Prince Edward Island, rise to the top echelons of Canadian military nursing leadership? This presentation discusses Georgina Pope鈥檚 path to power through the second half of the 19^th century and into the 20^th. Among other things, it addresses the significance her privileged and powerful lineage, the influence of her parents on her world view, and the inspiration of Florence Nightingale鈥攚ho invoked in Pope a 鈥渂urning desire鈥� to become an 鈥渁rmy nurse鈥� in a faraway land. The story takes us from Georgie鈥檚 rather sheltered life in Victorian Prince Edward Island to the 鈥淏oston States鈥�; to the dangerous and primitive conditions she experienced as superintendent of nurses in two South African Wars; to her work in the formation of the nursing component of the Canadian Army Medical Corps (PAMC); and to the battlefields of Europe during the First World War.

Katherine Dewar is the author of the award-winning book, Those Splendid Girls: The Heroic Service of Prince Edward Island Nurses in the Great War, 1914鈥�1918. Katherine is retired from a career as a nursing instructor at the PEI School of Nursing and is now committed to researching PEI鈥檚 colourful nursing history. Those Splendid Girls was shortlisted for an Atlantic Book Award, won Publication of the Year from the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation and the City of Summerside鈥檚 Heritage and Culture department. Katherine herself is the recipient of the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation Award of Honour for her outstanding contribution to Prince Edward Island Heritage.

Admission to the lecture is free. All are welcome.

Watch for another lecture about islands鈥攏ear near and far鈥擬ay 15. For more information, please contact Laurie at iis@upei.ca or (902) 894-2881.

The 17吃瓜 prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥�17吃瓜 has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 17吃瓜 is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.