Florence Nightingale: Founder of Modern Nursing

Born in Florence, Italy, (from where she got her name) on May 12, 1820 – a time when wealthy women were expected to be wives and mothers and nothing else – Florence Nightingale’s father believed in the advancement of women’s education so, she and her older sister studied history, mathematics, languages, philosophy, etc.

It was only when she decided to pursue a career outside the home that her mother and sister objected. But in 1844, she left anyway, following what she considered calls from God into medicine and service to others.

Her studies took her far from England. During one trip, she visited a Lutheran religious community in Germany where a pastor and deaconess worked with the sick. She received medical training at their institute and later wrote that the experience was a turning point in her life and the ‘foundation of her advancements’.

In 1853, when she was superintendent at the Institute for the Care of Sick Gentlewomen in London, the Crimean War broke out. She, her head nurse, her aunt, and fifteen Catholic nuns traveled to a military hospital in Scutari. They found that more British soldiers were dying from typhus, cholera, and dysentery than from their wounds.

The poor care and shortage of medical equipment and supplies included lack of equipment to process food, fix defective sewers, or increase ventilation. The reason was the indifference of the British Military hierarchy, who ignored the pleas for help from her and others. In desperation, she sent letters to The Times (a British daily) and the Sanitary Commission begging for a government solution. A prefabricated hospital was created, shipped, and run by civilians. It brought the death rate down more than 90%.

Meanwhile Nightingale and her team set up a radical program of sanitation and hygiene – mostly handwashing, which was not a common practice in medicine at that time, and reduced the camp’s death rates from 42% to 2%.

It was during this time that she received the nickname she’d have the rest of her life: Lady of the Lamp.

It came from an article by William Russel in The Times in which he said:

She is a “ministering angel” without any exaggeration in these hospitals, and as her slender form glides quietly along each corridor, every poor fellow's face softens with gratitude at the sight of her. When all the medical officers have retired for the night and silence and darkness have settled down upon those miles of prostrate sick, she may be observed alone, with a little lamp in her hand, making her solitary rounds.

According to Wikipedia, her actual nickname was “the lady with the hammer," given to her by the soldiers she nursed after she used a hammer to break into a locked storage area to access medicine to treat the wounded. Russell, however, thought the behavior was unladylike, and invented a (to him) more acceptable alternative.

The fabricated nickname was further popularized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his 1857 poem about her called "Santa Filomena.”

Lo! in that house of misery A lady with a lamp I see

Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.

After the war, she returned to England and visited hospitals which were almost as bad what she’d experienced in Crimea. With her access to people in high places, her education, her stubbornness, and her non-traditional ideas, she went on to transform hospital nursing over the next 40 years.

She had always excelled at math, so it was natural for her to use her knowledge of statistics and medicine, to develop the Polar Area Diagram, an early visual representation of data. This assisted nurses in diagnosing patients and developing actionable items for patient care – the forerunner of what we know as quality and risk analysis in nursing today.

In 1860, she founded the Nightingale School of Nursing, the first professional School of Nursing. Her book, ‘Notes on Nursing’ became the foundational text for student nurses. During her career, she made advancements on public health, revolutionized hospital design, advocated international relief of hunger (a problem we continue to battle, as illustrated by SDG 2), helped to abolish harsh prostitution laws against women, and facilitated the acceptance of female participation in the workforce.

Awards signifying her achievements:

• 1883 – first recipient of the Royal Red Cross
• 1904 – appointed Lady of Grace of the Order of St John
• 1907 – first recipient of the Order of Merit

In 1982, President Ronald Regan declared May 6th National Nurses Day in the United States. It is the first day of National Nurses Week, which ends on her birthday, May 12th.

The Florence Nightingale Medal is the highest international distinction a nurse can achieve.

At many nursing schools, graduates hold a lantern as they recite the Nightingale Pledge, a modified version of the Hippocratic Oath created in 1893 by Lystra Gretter specifically for nurses It emphasizes ethical principles such as commitment to patient care, integrity, and professionalism.

Nightingale’s history encouraged me to become certified in quality and risk analysis and legal nursing. Hopefully, I have also improved nursing in my generation.

Bonnie O’Leary BSN, RN, LGBHC, LNC

Championing Health Equity: Impactful Women’s Health Day Event at Louisiana State Capitol

Women’s Health Day at the Louisianna State Capitol brought renewed energy and urgency to Baton Rouge on May 13th, as advocates, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community leaders gathered with one shared mission: to save the lives of those who give life.

Hosted by the Louisiana Center for Health Equity (LCHE), the statewide initiative called on lawmakers to become change-makers in the movement to Protect Moms, Protect Families, Protect Louisiana.

The day’s programming centered on maternal and mental health, access to care, and closing persistent health gaps, all issues that continue to shape the well-being of women and families across the state. Many participants dressed in black with purple accents, a visual symbol of solidarity and commitment to improving women’s health outcomes statewide.

Angie Jackson Wilson, longtime champion for women’s empowerment and respected leader within the Louisiana Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW Louisiana) was at the heart of the event, serving as Program Chair. Her organizational expertise and advocacy experience shaped a thoughtful, solution-driven agenda that encouraged collaboration, elevated lived experiences, and moved conversations toward meaningful action.

This year’s theme, “Save the Lives of Those Who Give Life,” resonated deeply throughout the event.

The day began inside the Louisiana State Capitol Rotunda, where attendees visited resource tables, participated in advocacy workshops, and engaged directly with legislators.

In the afternoon the program transitioned to the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors Board Room, where the momentum continued through roundtable discussions and interactive sessions, beginning with welcoming remarks from Angie, who set the tone for an afternoon grounded in empowerment, partnership, and collective responsibility.

Sydney Simone, Anchor for Louisiana First News, served as Mistress of Ceremonies, guiding the program with professionalism and warmth.

A moment of reflection followed as Gwen Amelin, Past State President of LA BPW, delivered the invocation.

Laurie N. Marien, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Women’s Policy, offered greetings on behalf of Governor Jeff Landry, who appeared in a short video and presented an official proclamation recognizing the significance of Women’s Health Day.

The Occasion was delivered by Alma C. Stewart Allen, President and Founder of LCHE, whose vision and advocacy laid the foundation for the event’s mission. Her remarks underscored the urgent need to address maternal and mental health disparities across Louisiana.

The keynote address came from State Representative C. Denise Marcelle, who spoke powerfully about the legislative realities surrounding women’s health. Her message energized attendees and highlighted the importance of policy engagement. Representative Marcelle is responsible for the introduction of HCR 110, a resolution declaring a crisis in maternal mortality in Louisiana.

Attendees then participated in an interactive session led by Jamie Mayes, Founder of The Healing Project, who encouraged reflection, connection, and shared commitment to healing and advocacy.

The major highlight of the afternoon was the Women’s Health Policy Roundtable Discussion, moderated by Dr. Michelle Easton, Founder and CEO of Custom MADE Consulting.

The panel brought together a diverse group of leaders and experts:

• Autumn Percival, Miss Louisiana Port City’s Teen, founder of Raising Kids for a Healthy Future
• Robin Gruenfeld, Director, March of Dimes
• Dr. Cordel Parris, Cardiologist, Parris Cardiovascular Center
• Arkeria Robertson, Licensed Professional Counselor, Always Amazing Counseling
• Kaitlyn Joshua, Co-Founder, Abortion in America

Together, they explored maternal health, mental health, access to care, and the lived experiences of women shaping Louisiana’s health landscape. Their dialogue offered both insight and urgency, reinforcing the need for sustained advocacy and systemic change.

The program then shifted toward doing with a compelling call to action from Melissa Flournoy of 10,000 Women, who reminded attendees that progress requires persistence, partnership, and policy engagement.

Angie closed out the event by reaffirming the day’s purpose and importance, and expressed gratitude to participants, partners, advocates, and sponsors for their commitment to improving women’s health outcomes across the state, and its success illustrated the power of collaboration among healthcare leaders, advocates, policymakers, and women with lived experience.

When it was all over, Angie captured the spirit of the day: unity, empowerment, and unwavering commitment to change, when she said, “The afternoon was filled with inspiration, impact, and community. “We’re not just talking about health—we’re talking about saving lives and building a stronger Louisiana.”

Through her leadership with BPW Louisiana and LCHE, Angie continues to inspire across generations, demonstrating how professional women can drive systemic progress—one program, one conversation, and one life at a time.

Louisiana State Capitol.

Health Committee
health@nfbpwc.org

Like May, June is a transition month. Graduations, end of the school-year parties, and schools going on summer break.

Father’s Day is also this month. Just as we should honor our mothers, fathers are important too.

The more you take care of your health, the more the world will take care of you.

We here at the health committee are closing out the term and NFBPWC’s year with a flurry of activity. We are getting our webpage up to date, making sure our proposals are in place for the General Assembly in July, and making sure you have a little health awareness during the General Assembly.

As a PSA, please do not forget about your own health. Take advantage of the opportunities to get yourself checked out or do any annual checkups or procedures you need before they become too expensive or are unavailable. I believe that the more you take care of your health, the more the world will take care of you.

Susan Oser
Chair Health
health@nfbpwc.org

A Statewide Call to Action to Confront Preventable Maternal Deaths and Advance Meaningful Solutions

On March 26th, the Louisiana Center for Health Equity (LCHE) hosted a powerful Women’s History Month observance titled “Louisiana’s Maternal Crisis: Answer the Call to Action.”

The virtual event brought together community leaders, health experts, advocates, and residents from across the state to confront Louisiana’s persistently high maternal mortality rates and to mobilize collective action.

LCHE President and Founder Alma Stewart Allen opened the program by grounding the discussion in LCHE’s bold, transformative effort to move Louisiana into the top 40 states in overall health outcomes by the year 2030.

She emphasized that improving maternal health is essential to achieving this vision, noting that women must have access to safe, equitable, and respectful care beginning in preconception, throughout pregnancy, and extending well into the postpartum period.

Featured Speakers Included:

• Dr. Michelle Easton, New Orleans Citywide Coordinator, DREF Research Matters For All of Us, Moderator
• Alma C. Stewart Allen, RN, MS, CCHC, President and Founder, Louisiana Center for Health Equity, Host 
• Robin Gruenfeld, MPH, Director, March of Dimes
• Nicole Deggins, CNM, MSN, MPH, Founder, Sista Midwife Productions
• Dr. Rachel Bond, MD, FACC, Women's Heart Health & Prevention Specialist, Association of Black Cardiologists
• Kaitlyn Joshua, Co-Founder, Abortion in America
• Autumn Percival, Miss Louisiana Port City's Teen, Founder of Raising Kids for A Healthier Future

Each speaker shed light on the systemic challenges contributing to maternal mortality in Louisiana, the disproportionate impact on Black women, and the urgent need for coordinated policy and community-driven solutions.

A central theme during the program was the call for Louisiana to formally declare maternal mortality a public health emergency — a step that would elevate the issue, direct resources where they are most needed, and accelerate statewide action.

For those who were unable to attend — or who wish to revisit the powerful discussions — the full webinar recording is now available. https://vimeo.com/1177988442?fl=tl&fe=ec

Act Now: Show Your Support by Signing the Letter

Louisiana’s maternal mortality crisis requires immediate action. LCHE is urging state leaders to declare maternal mortality a public health emergency — and your voice can help make that happen.

You can join advocates across Louisiana in calling for urgent action. Every signature strengthens the movement and brings us closer to realizing LCHE’s vision of moving Louisiana into the top 40 states in overall health outcomes by the year 2030. — a healthier, more equitable Louisiana for all.

To sign the letter: https://forms.gle/AW38noWJKP3WkYbU8

Submitted by Angie Jackson Wilson
Chair Nominations
Bylaws & Resolutions

May is:

• ALS Awareness Month https://www.als.org/awareness
• Better Sleep Month https://www.sleepfoundation.org/
• Celiac Awareness Month https://tinyurl.com/5bj8uawt
• Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month https://tinyurl.com/2xarprkc
• Lupus Awareness Month https://tinyurl.com/yzw7bu57
• Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month https://tinyurl.com/3fhwuw39
• Oncology Nurses Month https://tinyurl.com/4meu8e4r
• Skin Cancer Awareness Month https://www.skincancer.org/get-involved/skin-cancer-awareness-month/

We are almost halfway through the year and a lot has happened with your Health Committee already. In May of course we think of two holidays: Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. Mother’s Day is the most meaningful because when we were younger, it was (most often) our mother who took care of us when we were sick and made sure we stayed healthy.

For those of you like me, whose mom is no longer physically on Earth, we still have her caring and encouraging words in our hearts. I know that since my mother was an LPN nurse, when I have my own medical appointments, I always take a piece of her with me whether it is a shirt she wore that I now own, a little rosary, etc. It’s a nice way to have her spirit watch over me and make sure I’m getting the best care possible.

Having said that, I’d like to create a little conversation with you:

What health advice or tips did your mom have for you growing up and do you still do them now?

Let me know at health@nfbpwc.org and I’ll share any answers I receive in the June edition of the magazine.

Susan Oser

Chair Health health@nfbpwc.org

More Health and Wellness Information

• Emotional Well-Being via Sesame Street: Children who are healthy in mind, body, and heart can thrive in every way. Here we are reminded that mental health IS health! https://sesameworkshop.org/topics/mentalhealth/
• What’s YOUR Peak Productivity Time?: Take the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) to find your chronotype and discover whether you're a morning person, night owl, or somewhere in between. https://tinyurl.com/4znzdhr3
• Experts Finally Agree on What “Mental Wellbeing” Actually Means: For decades, “mental wellbeing” has been a fuzzy, catch-all term that meant different things to different people. A landmark study has finally provided the world’s first international consensus. https://tinyurl.com/bdhsyj94

Healthy Diets

I am pleased to submit this contribution to the NFBPWC Magazine regarding Healthy diets and to write it on School Meals Day, which is celebrated annually on the second Thursday of March and which in 2026 was chosen on March 12th. This is an opportunity to invite organizations and individuals to unite in promoting nutritious meals for all students worldwide.

Increasingly, the guidelines of many international organizations, including the WHO and FAO, include recommendations for orienting the consumption of natural foods and diets low in ultra-processed products. Eating a variety of foods allows for a balanced intake of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats (the recipe would be 45-60% carbohydrates; 20-35% fats; 10-20% proteins; and drinking 1.5 to 2 liters of water).

Recommended healthy diets include the Mediterranean Diet (olive oil, fruits and vegetables, fish, and grains), the DASH Diet (low-salt, high-vegetable diet to combat hypertension), and the Vegetarian Diet (excluding meat and fish but including dairy products and eggs).

Today, these recommendations are more important than ever to advance the importance of supporting healthy diets in schools and in vulnerable and conflict-affected areas.

Diets and Women

A healthy diet is a balanced diet model that provides the body with the necessary nutrients. Adopting a healthy diet means getting into the habit of choosing foods and cus-toms to maintain good health. And the contribution made by and for women, from the very young age must be studied, valued, and disseminated.

BPW International, with all its affiliated  federations, has a long history of active advocacy, working increasingly toward an integrated approach to health and education, starting with agriculture. This approach allows for the integration and evaluation of social policies (procurement farming, local and organic agricultural supplies) with education at various levels (gardening, cooking, food preservation, trade), and the need that this occurs through active community partnerships.

Healthy diet from the women’s point of view starts when you can choose which foods to buy, knowing what is available in the refrigerator, in the pantry. Is a habit that contributes to shaping eating habits but is also a way of taking care of oneself and one's family. Prevention, savings and sustainability come into play.

Nowadays, transforming food systems requires that human empowerment, especially that of women, be incorporated into project design from the outset, not just through volunteering or temporary staff in programs.

Good professional training enables the implementation and coordination of strategies that unify agriculture, healthcare, and social policy across all countries.

Increasing education for girls and women, who can learn how to choose and prepare foods while promoting traditional recipes, leads in the medium term to the creation of lifelong habits that are beneficial for people and nature.

Well-designed school meal programs, combined with general nutrition education, represent a positive element and a reliable source of socially beneficial change.

Children and students in general understand the message perfectly, and with them the community; they waste less, while local farmers also enjoy a stable market. The same is true for policies (local or national) to reduce healthcare costs associated with diet-related diseases.

Achieving good results obviously requires investments in public infrastructure, improved public transport, water, sanitation, and energy sustainability, to reduce the time women and girls in difficult contexts must spend on the daily routine of household chores.

With investments and strategies across agriculture, health, and social policies, lasting habits and harmonious coexistence are built and achieved.

(see our BPW International Triennium theme)

The successes of the School Meals programs adopted are shared in 22 European countries. Since 2009, FAO has a Unit that examines and promotes coordination between the School Food and Nutrition approach, which is directly linked to the Agency's strategic objectives and the 2030 Agenda.

To conclude this brief contribution to stimulate the interest of NFBPWC sisters and friends, I would like to mention the success of a program created in Bhutan, launched between the government and FAO in 2025, called One Child - One Egg, which has reached 343 schools. It also represents a vital contribution to social protection.

The inclusion of one egg a day in students' meals (in this case several thousand) provides an important, low-cost nutritional supplement, to the satisfaction of suppliers and local communities, considering that school lunch in many parts of the world, and in such a challenging time of conflict and environmental crises, is the only healthy food students receive each day.

To learn more:

FAO School Food and Nutrition Framework https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/6f3162ea-1c1f-4699-a4b1-59a041e5f113/content

One Child -One egg Bhutan https://fb.watch/FTX-jS2eVs/

Christina Gorajski Visconti
IFBPW Standing Committee Chair Agriculture
2024-2027
bpwagriculture@gmail.com

Hello and Happy April to you!

It’s happy for me because it’s my birthday on April 4th, and my father’s on April 11th. The first weekend is Easter (also known as Ostara—celebration of the spring equinox—in the Pagan and Wiccan religions).

Hopefully by the time you read this, the weather has become a bit more stable, and you will be able to enjoy a little walk or some fresh air no matter where you are.

I am happy that this month, we have a contributor from the IFBPW Agriculture Committee. I’d love to see more entries from our sisters around the world because they are part of the BPW family as well.

In addition, if you were at CSW and attended any of the forums related to health and well-being, please send me an email about your experience. I’d love to feature it in this section of the magazine.

This past month, we had a discussion on Women in Medicine and Health and how Women’s medicine has changed over the years in honor of Women’s History Month. Our small discussions are a lot of fun and I encourage you to attend.

As of this writing, our next meeting will focus on any necessary business we need to talk about. We can also address any ideas for the future of the Health Committee.

Since Mother’s Day is in May, I hope we can encourage a discussion on mothers in our lives, whether we are a mother or not.

June is a month before the General Assembly so final preparations will be undertaken.

Susan Oser
Chair Health
health@nfbpwc.org

On February 6th, I had the honor of attending the Heart of a Woman Conference, hosted by Houston Methodist in partnership with NFBPWC, a powerful event focused on women’s cardiovascular health.

One message stood out clearly: heart disease remains the #1 killer of women, yet many of us are still unaware of our unique risk factors and symptoms.

The conference brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates, and women leaders to translate scientific knowledge into practical strategies for prevention and empowerment. Experts highlighted key contributors to cardiovascular disease in women, including diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, chronic stress, genetic predisposition, and age. Many of these risks are preventable or manageable through early detection, healthy lifestyle choices, and appropriate medical care.

The theme that caught my attention was the link between stress and heart health. The presenter showed that chronic emotional stress can trigger biological changes that increase inflammation and damage blood vessels, raising the risk of heart attack and heart failure, meaning, effective stress management is an essential component of prevention.

A central message throughout the conference was that awareness saves lives. Educating women about symptoms, risk factors, and preventive actions empowers them to take control of their health and seek timely care.

The Heart of a Woman Conference underscored that improving women’s cardiovascular outcomes requires a comprehensive approach that combines medical science, education, advocacy, and community engagement. Through partnerships like that between Houston Methodist and NFBPWC, meaningful progress can be made toward helping women live healthier, longer lives.

Know your risk. Prioritize prevention. Protect your heart.

Nicole Mpouli
Chair Lifelong Leadership
& Learning
L3Chair@nfbpwc.org

Houston Methodist Hospital proudly hosted the Heart of a Woman: Strategies for Treating and Preventing Heart Disease in Women conference on Friday, February 6, 2026, bringing together clinicians and leaders committed to advancing women’s cardiovascular health.

This hybrid event welcomed over 180 learners, underscoring a growing national focus on sex specific cardiovascular care. The conference, envisioned and launched by Dr. Karla Kurrelmeyer eight years ago, continues to flourish today.

The program was led by Course Director Dr. Karla M. Kurrelmeyer and Co Directors Drs. Bindu Chebrolu, Valeria Duarte, and Nadeen Faza, whose vision shaped a comprehensive curriculum highlighting risk factor awareness, diagnostic nuances, and treatment strategies unique to women.

The conference opened with a welcome and remarks from Nicole Mpouli, presenting on behalf of NFBPWC President Barbara Bozeman, reflecting the strong partnership between Houston Methodist and the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs.

With 17 faculty spanning cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, endocrinology, and cardiac surgery, the conference highlighted the collaborative expertise required to advance women’s heart health.

In addition to education, the event aligned with National Go Red for Women Day, bringing participants together—many dressed in red—for a vibrant photo booth experience celebrating community, advocacy, and the mission of reducing heart disease in women.

Houston Methodist and NFBPWC also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand women’s cardiovascular research and community outreach, including a project currently under consideration for the Alpha Phi Foundation grant, aimed at elevating heart health education and access for women.

Article by Dr. Valeria Duarte and Dr. Karla Kurrelmeyer of Houston Methodist Hospital.

Many thanks to Nicole Mpouli for attending and contributing to our successful Heart of a Woman event at Houston Methodist Hospital. She represented not only the committee but our organization well. Please read her article on pX.).

Participants from Houston Methodist hospital contributed pictures and a brief overview of the event. Please read Part 1 (pX) and watch for Part 2 in April. We greatly appreciate their partnership with us on this important event.

We want to welcome Sujata Tiwari, the new Gender-Based Violence Committee Chair, who will be contributing monthly articles. (This month’s is on pX.) We appreciate her contributions and look forward to learning about this essential element of women’s health from her each month.

In honor of Women’s History Month, at our next meeting (March 23rd), we will discuss women in the history of medicine or the medical field as well as how women’s health has changed over the years. Format, open forum or a speaker. Either way, all are welcome to join.

Susan Oser
Chair Health
health@nfbpwc.org

MARCH IS ALSO:

• American Red Cross Month or Red Cross Month https://www.redcross.org/
• Brain Injury Awareness Month https://biausa.org/public-affairs/public-awareness/ brain-injury-awareness
• Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month https://nacdd.org/ddam1/
• Endometriosis Month https://endomarch.org/
• National Breast Implant Awareness Month https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/march-national-breast-implant-awareness-month-kantor-kantor-llp/m
• Transgender Month of Action for Healthcare Equality https://transequality.org/