Maria Inês Stilwell, founder of ACEPS (1914-2001)

Abstract

Introduction

Biographical presentation of Inês Stilwell suggests a previous reflection about the social history of nursing, women's history, the value of biographical method and youth movements framed by Movimento Escutista and Acção Católica Portuguesa.

Objective

The aim of this work is to do the biography and contextualize the life story of Inês Stilwell.

Methods

We proceeded to data collection of fragments (auto) biographical through a interview made Inês Stilwell and other elements of her life story.

 Results

The biographee started studying in England, returning to Portugal when she was 17 years old, completing the nursing program at the school “Artur Ravara” in 1934. Lider of the Juventude Operária Católica (JOC), joined at 21 years old for “Guias de Portugal”. By 39, she registered in the nursing course of the Nightingale Training School St. Thomas' Hospital. She participated in the foundation of “Centro de Reabilitação do Alcoitão” and also in the training of nurses in this area. In 1957, she took part in the coordination of the first courses of physiotherapist and occupational therapist, of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML). She take place in the pedagogical council of Escola de Ensino e Administração de Enfermagem and in 1973 joined a work group to review the curriculum of rehabilitation specialists nurses.

Conclusion

Her life was structured by the world wars, the memories of the Monarchy and the Republic and traumatic family life events. Very young, struggled with the dilemma of choosing between the religious or secular life.