ICN during wartime: 1912-1947

Over nearly four decades (1911-1947) ICN established itself as an enduring organization for nurses in the midst of turbulent international politics, pressing healthcare demands and hardships of war. As women, ICN leaders had devoted themselves to their mission to improve the cause of nursing, economically, professionally and culturally. In the process the unifying missionary spirit of the early leaders underwent important transformations. In part, because of tensions resulting from diverse views from within, but most of all because of external influences of profound social change and the upheaval of war, the postwar identity of ICN was different.