Gerda Höjer facts for kids

Gerda Höjer was a very important Swedish woman who lived from 1893 to 1974. She was a dedicated nurse and also a politician. She worked hard to improve healthcare and social issues in Sweden, helping many people throughout her life.

Who Was Gerda Höjer?

Gerda Höjer was born on July 23, 1893. She chose a career in nursing, which meant she dedicated her life to caring for others. Nurses play a vital role in hospitals and clinics, helping sick and injured people get better. Gerda was very good at her job and became a leader in the nursing community.

A Dedicated Nurse Leader

Gerda Höjer became the president of the Swedish Association of Nurses in 1945. She held this important position for 15 years, until 1960. As president, she worked to support nurses and improve their working conditions. She also helped make sure that nursing education was excellent.

Her leadership wasn't just in Sweden. In 1947, Gerda became the President of the International Council of Nurses. This meant she was a top leader for nurses all around the world! She helped connect nurses from different countries and worked to improve healthcare globally.

Helping People in Parliament

Gerda Höjer was also a politician. From 1949 to 1960, she was a member of the Riksdag. The Riksdag is like the Swedish parliament, where elected representatives make laws for the country. Gerda was part of the Liberal People's Party.

In the Riksdag, Gerda focused on social issues. This means she cared about how people lived and worked, and she wanted to make society better for everyone. She was especially interested in healthcare and medical care policies. She worked to make sure people had good access to doctors and hospitals.

An Award for Her Work

After World War II, Gerda Höjer received a very special award called the Florence Nightingale Medal. This medal is given by the International Committee of the Red Cross to nurses who show great courage and dedication. It is one of the highest honors a nurse can receive. This award showed how much her hard work and leadership were appreciated around the world.

Gerda Höjer passed away on June 20, 1974, but her legacy of caring and leadership continues to inspire many.