Tales from the Mennonite Heritage Archives – Episode 28
Helena at the school she taught at in Mafeking, Manitoba, 1931. The back reads "She left when she was asked to cut her own firewood". MHA 666-148.0.
In this episode, host Dan Dyck gives us a glimpse at the incredible life and service of Helena Friesen Reimer (1905-1993). Helen started her professional life as a rural school teacher, where seeing the need, she was inspired to become a nurse. This was the start of an adventurous life that would see her take roles in nursing and medical administration around the world, working for the World Health Organization and the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, among other organizations. She received the Order of Canada, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Winnipeg. She is listed as a Memorable Manitoban and was posthumously chosen as a Manitoba Woman Trailblazer in 2021 by the Nellie McClung Foundation to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Manitoba.
You can read a report by Helena from her experience nursing in refugee camp Tolumbat, Egypt (1944-1945) here. MHA Volume 5423 – 1.
You can also read more about Helena on the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO).
Your donations help preserve and share stories like this one! Make a gift here or call 204.560.1998.
Podcast Series: Tales from the Mennonite Heritage Archives
Episode 28: Helena F. Reimer: Nurse, Administrator, Adventurer
Date: May 11, 2025
Host: Dan Dyck
Published by The Mennonite Heritage Archives
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube, or wherever you get your podcasts!