The Women's National Health Association (WNHA) was a body set up in Ireland in 1907 with the objective of eliminating, as far as possible, the scourge of
tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by '' Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, in ...
, and to bring about a reduction in the high infant mortality rates in Ireland.
Founding
The association was founded by
Lady Aberdeen, wife of the Lord-Lieutenant in Ireland,
Lord Aberdeen
George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen, (28 January 178414 December 1860), styled Lord Haddo from 1791 to 1801, was a British statesman, diplomat and landowner, successively a Tory, Conservative and Peelite politician and specialist in ...
. During their second term in
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
, from 1906 to 1915, Lady Aberdeen focused on healthcare and social well-being, subjects she had been interested in all her life.
Over 170 local branches of the WNHA were formed throughout the country, initially on a County basis, and subsequently sub branches were set up in each county.
Activities
The work of the association began with an exhibition on health matters, which was part of the
Irish International Exhibition held in Dublin in 1907. With government help, the Association established pasteurized milk depots, built hospitals, dispensaries and sanitariums and expanded its activities to include medical and dental inspections for school children.
In 1908, Lady Aberdeen edited a three-volume work entitled ''Ireland’s Crusade Against Tuberculosis'', which was a
summary of the lectures given at the first of the WNHA Health Exhibitions. She also edited ''Sláinte'', the journal of the WNHA from 1909 to 1915.
Evolution of the association
After the arrival of the first casualties of the Great war back in Ireland, the personnel of the WHNA progressively evolved into the Red Cross and attended to the war casualties at home, founding hospitals and nursing homes.
Notable members
*
Mary Fleetwood Berry
*
Florence Moon
*
Angela Russell
*
Edith Young
Nina Kilkelly,
Isabel Lefroy,
Marie Benner,
Ethel Bond,
Mary Bond,
Julia Delany,
Beatrice King-Harman,
Lady Granard.
[Longford Women's unionist association]
See also
*
Feminism in Ireland
Feminism in Ireland has played a major role in shaping the legal and social position of women in present-day Ireland. The role of women has been influenced by numerous legal changes in the second part of the 20th century, especially in the 1970s. ...
References
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Organizations established in 1907
Tuberculosis organizations
Medical and health organisations based in the United Kingdom
Medical and health organisations based in the Republic of Ireland
Women's organisations based in Ireland