Maria Cederschiöld (deaconess) facts for kids
Anna Maria Cederschiöld was a Swedish noblewoman who became a very important nurse and deaconess. She was born in Växjö in 1815 and passed away in Lund in 1892. Maria was a true pioneer in Sweden. She helped start the first formal training for nurses and deaconesses. From 1851 to 1862, she was the first leader of Ersta diakoni, which was Sweden's very first deaconess institution.
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Maria's Early Life and Calling
Maria Cederschiöld was the daughter of Kasper Hakvin Cederschiöld, a vicar from Forsheda. Her mother was Helena Sofia Ingelman. Maria was engaged to her foster brother. Sadly, he passed away, and this event deeply affected her. It is believed that this loss made her more interested in religion. She then became involved with religious groups.
Maria was taught at home. Later, she ran a girls' school in Lund from 1848 to 1849. She was then offered the role of head of a new Deaconess Institution. This institution was planned to be set up in Stockholm.
Training to Become a Deaconess
To get ready for her new role, Maria traveled to Germany. She studied at a deaconess institution there from 1850 to 1851. She learned at Kaiserswerth under Theodor Fliedner. Famous nurse Florence Nightingale also studied there. Maria was recommended for this position by a friend. Her religious connections in Lund knew her well.
When she returned to Sweden in 1851, she became the head of the Ersta Diakoni in Stockholm. This was a very important step for nursing in Sweden. It was the first formal training program for nurses. A secular, or non-religious, nursing school did not open until Emmy Rappe started one in 1867.
Work as a Pioneer Deaconess
During her time as principal and deaconess, Maria was known as "Sister Maria." She worked incredibly hard. She was especially recognized for her efforts during the cholera outbreak in Stockholm in 1853. Cholera was a serious disease that caused many people to get sick.
In 1854, Maria helped start a new group. It was called the Fruntimmersällskapet för fångars förbättring. This translates to "Women's Society for the Improvement of Prisoners." She co-founded it with other important people. These included philanthropist Mathilda Foy, writer Fredrika Bremer, writer Betty Ehrenborg, and Emilia Elmblad. This group worked to help people who were in prison.
Later Life and Retirement
In 1862, Maria retired from her position. She was very exhausted from her hard work. Everyone expected her to return once she felt better. However, she never did. She moved to Osby with her mother and another deaconess. In 1877, she moved to Växjö.
Even in her later years, Maria remained involved. In 1889, she visited Norway. She helped plan the first deaconess institution in Oslo. Maria Cederschiöld passed away in 1892. Her work laid the foundation for modern nursing education in Sweden.
