Date of issue: May 12, 1997
Printer: Ashton-Potter Canada
Design: Margaret Susan Issenman
Victorian Order of Nurses
The concept of an Order of Nurses originated at the annual meeting of the National Council of Women in Halifax in 1896. There, Lady Ishbel Aberdeen, wife of Canada’s Governor-General, learned about the shortage of doctors and nurses in many areas of the country. The National Council petitioned Aberdeen to establish a group of nurses able to provide service to areas without medical facilities in order to honor the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign. Despite objections by the medical establishment, the VON was officially constituted in November 1897, with Aberdeen as its first President.
A variety of nursing services was soon instituted, and “cottage” hospitals were established in isolated regions. Following successful fundraising efforts by Lady Minto, the organization’s second honorary president, over 40 such hospitals were set up in the early 1900s. Today, the VON runs over 75 programs and services, including care of patients with Alzheimer disease, respite and bereavement services, and breastfeeding consultation. It has approximately 5,000 health care workers and more than 9,000 community, volunteers.
The Stamp
The stamp was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the organization. In it, a nurse can be seen caring for (possibly drawing blood) from an older woman who is wearing an apron, suggesting that she is in her own home. To the right, are the nurse’s medicine bag and a small medicine bottle. Below are depicted various means of transport used by VON nurses over the years, including a rowboat, a bicycle, and cars from three different eras. The first-day cover shows a different nurse caring for a child. In the background is an image of nurses standing by their cars outside the VON’s building.
