Lillian Wald

Visionary nurse and social reformer who revolutionized public health and urban community care.

Lillian Wald, born in 1867, founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City, a pioneering institution in public health nursing. Her work transformed healthcare access for impoverished immigrants, emphasizing preventive care and health education.

Wald coined the term 'public health nurse' and advocated for school nurses and insurance programs. Her efforts led to the establishment of the American Red Cross' Town and Country Nursing Service, bringing healthcare to rural areas. She also lobbied for labor laws and founded the NAACP's first nursing chapter.

Her legacy includes the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, which remains a model for community-based care. Wald's intersectional approach to health and social justice continues to influence modern public health policies.