Interview with Edna Rockstroh, December 1, 1979

Interview Summary

Edna Rockstroh was asked by Mary Breckinridge to come to work for the Frontier Nursing Service after she had served in France with the CARD effort (Committee Americaine pour les Regiones Devastees), directed by Anne Morgan. Rockstroh took her midwifery course in England, and she and Frieda Caffin came to Kentucky when the FNS was still known as the Kentucky Committee for Mothers and Babies. Rockstroh contributes many anecdotes of her experiences with Mary Breckinridge and with the local people. She suspects that she delivered the first baby delivered by the FNS in Leslie County, and she also took part in an early survey conducted by Breckinridge to determine statistics on birth and on infant and maternal mortality in three counties. Rockstroh discusses Breckinridge's occasional "trading post," at which she would barter clothing, shoes, and other items from contributors for chickens and eggs. Rockstroh also indicates what was discussed at local committee meetings. She served at the FNS beginning in 1923 and left in 1927 due to a bronchial condition.

Interview Keyword

Appalachian Region--Social life and customs Children--Health and hygiene--Kentucky

Interview LC Subject

Breckinridge, Mary, 1881-1965 Frontier Nursing Service, Inc. Medical care--Appalachian Region Midwifery Nursing

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.