History of the League
The League was founded in 1899 by Isla Stewart and became one of the founder members of the International Council of Nurses. Currently there are 2600 members of whom 200 are scattered throughout the world. An extract from the first League News, in May 1900:
"There is something about St Bartholomew's Hospital, something it may be in its age, its history or its associations - which creates towards it and, in its strength, a unique feeling among its members."
Isla Stewart believed that a nurse could return to the Hospital and unless it was a planned visit to meet others, could feel lonely and disappointed.
"The idea of forming the League was suggested in 1898 and met a very hearty response which seemed to prove its need and guarantee its success"
A small provisional committee was formed which undertook the necessary arrangements until the League was constituted and an authorised Executive Committee was appointed.
Amongst the members of the Provisional Committee was Miss Emily Waind, a well known Sister of Stanley Ward, and it was her proposition that the name League of St Bartholomew's Nurses be adopted. In October 1899 a general meeting was held and the constitution discussed and adopted.
In a very early edition of the League News Isla Stewart expressed her reasons for forming the League. These were:
- By union to encourage the members to maintain a high standard of work and conduct. Regular re-occurring opportunities will enable the members to compare their work with that of others and give the chance to discuss difficulties with those whose opinions they value.
- For mutual help and pleasure.
- To promote the establishment of a fund for the relief of former nurses of the Hospital who are in distressed circumstances and need either temporary or permanent help.
We hope that we continue to reflect these ideals in the way that we conduct our work and social events.
The League is managed by an Executive Committee whose members are elected every three years and the President serves a five year term of office. We publish a yearly League News. We celebrated our Centenary in 1999 with various functions, culminating in a group of members, dressed in Nurses' uniforms throughout the Century, participating in the City of London Lord Mayor's Show. The float was warmly received by the enormous crowds, wishing us well for the next 100 years. And the League continues to flourish.