Nursing is a profession that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Nobody really remembers or recognizes the nurse until they are in an environment where a nurse is helping them or a loved one get better. For a brief period of time these people remember and are thankful for the nurse’s help, but eventually those people move on. I believe people that go into the nursing community don’t care about the recognition or gratitude; they care more about helping others in any capacity that they can. We want to honor those nurses by sharing stories of nurses who have been courageous and inspirational to nurses after them.

Alicia Mary Kelly (or Sister Kelly) was a nurse during the early 1900’s. She started off as a staff nurse for the Australian Army Nursing Service.  A moment that makes Sister Kelly stand out is when she showed great loyalty to her patients. Her hospital came under siege with bombs dropping all around. Most of the medical staff had fled for their safety leaving patients helpless in the hospital. Sister Kelly stayed with the patients. She even put pots and basins over the patients so that they felt a small sense of safety during the attack. She was awarded with a medal at Buckingham Palace a short while later for her actions during the attack.

Sister Mary retired from the army after 3 years of service. She continued to practice nursing until her passing from pneumonia in 1942.

Nurses were peaceful care givers during the wars, and risked their lives everyday to try and help wounded soldiers recover from their wounds and go back home to their families when the war was over. Sister Kelly and many other nurses are inspirations for present nurses and women for how one person can make an impact on society.