Árdís - 01.01.1955, Page 23

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
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Florence Nightingale
By INGIBJORG S. BJARNASON
“The Lady with the Lamp” was born on May 12, 1820, in
Florence, Italy, and was given the name of her birthplace. While
still a young child she moved to England with her family and elder
sister Parthenope. Her father inherited a considerable estate from
his maternal uncle, Peter Nightingale, and therefore changed his
name from Shore to Nightingale.
Florence’s upbringing was that of a
well-bred child of well-to-do parents.
She was a quiet, docile girl who early
showed that she was “different.”
While her sister romped about in
play, she spent her time “nursing”
her pets and dolls that she always
imagined were sick. This tendency to
care for those less fortunate mani-
fested itself at an early age. She en-
joyed visiting the sick and needy in
the village. However, her education
followed the accepted pattern of the
day, and her family planned a
pleasant social life and successful
marriage for her.
Although she had several suitors,
among them James Smithhurst who
later became a missionary to Indians
in Manitoba, she put aside all
thoughts of marriage because of her
Call. She felt she had been called to
become a nurse and to dedicate her life to allay the suffering of
humanity. A worthy vocation indeed, but one that met tremendous
opposition on all sides.
At that time, before woman suffrage, no refined young lady