What is elisabeth eidenbenz?

Elisabeth Eidenbenz was a Swiss nurse who became known for her work founding the Maternity Hospital in Elne, France during World War II, where she provided care and support for more than 600 mothers and their children. The hospital was set up to help pregnant women who were refugees and had been displaced from their homes during the war. Eidenbenz and her team provided not only medical treatment but also emotional support and a safe refuge for the women.

After the war, Eidenbenz continued her nursing career and worked as a midwife in Switzerland. In recognition of her work during the war, she was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Legion of Honour by the French government in 1950. She also received the Swiss Order of Merit and the title of Commander of the Order of Isabel la Catolica from the Spanish government.

Eidenbenz passed away in 2018 at the age of 98. She is remembered as a compassionate, courageous nurse who made a significant impact on the lives of hundreds of women and their families during one of the darkest periods in modern history.