Bodil Hellfach facts for kids
Bodil Cathrine Hansine Hellfach (1856–1941) was an important Danish nurse. She helped change nursing for the better in Denmark. From 1899 to 1907, she was the vice-chair of the Danish Nurses' Organization. She also traveled to meetings and conferences, helping to make Danish nursing well-known and respected around the world.
Early Life and Becoming a Nurse
Bodil Hellfach was born on October 21, 1856, in a small village called Hyllinge, near Næstved. Her father, Johannes Mikael Hellfach, owned a large farm called Petersdal Estate near Sorø.
When her father passed away in 1886, Bodil decided to become a nurse. At that time, nursing was not seen as a proper job for women from wealthy families. But Bodil chose this path anyway.
Working at the Hospital
Bodil moved to Copenhagen to work as a nurse at the Municipal Hospital. She worked under a nurse named Dorthea Secher. Dorthea Secher had been working there since 1878 and helped Bodil learn a lot.
By 1892, Bodil Hellfach became a nursing supervisor. This meant she was in charge of new nurses who were just starting their training. She cared deeply about her staff. She pushed for better training for nurses, including learning the theory behind nursing, which was not part of her own early training.
Leading the Danish Nurses' Organization
Bodil Hellfach was a key person in starting the Danish Nurses' Organization (Dansk Sygeplejeråd, DSR). This group was created in 1899 to help nurses connect with each other.
She served as the deputy chair (like a vice-president) until 1907. This was a challenging time, and she often had to help solve problems and bring people together. She wrote articles for the DSR's magazine, Tidsskrift for Sygepleje. Her writings always showed a positive attitude.
Bodil always supported better working conditions for nurses, even after she retired in 1913. Later in her life, she joined the board of DSR's special home for nurses in Vedbæk. She spoke at many conferences, helping to make Danish nursing more respected both in Denmark and in other countries.
Bodil Hellfach passed away in Copenhagen on August 26, 1941.
