Helene Bresslau Schweitzer

Helene Bresslau Schweitzer was born to the Bresslau family on January 25, 1879, in Berlin. Her family was ethnically Jewish, and she was baptized into the Christian religion as a result of widespread Anti Semitism. The Bresslaus moved to Alsace, then part of Germany, when she was eleven because of a new job opportunity for her father. Her father, Harry Bresslau, began working at the University of Strasbourg and eventually became chancellor. As a result of the move, Schweitzer adopted French, becoming fluent rather quickly.[3]

In 1898, Bresslau met her future husband, Albert Schweitzer at a wedding.[1] Shortly thereafter, they developed a relationship that included separation, independence, and non-exclusive behaviors. This allowed both to develop their lives while enjoying each other's companionship, conversation, and virtues. The one thing that united the pair was their shared ideology: to take care of others.[3]

Bresslau became Albert's confidant but did not give up her own life for his. In fact, they spent a great deal of time away from each other and maintained a nontraditional relationship (together but not exclusive). They felt secure remaining undefined as a couple, relying on their friendship through documented letters. The turning point for their relationship occurred when they married on June 18, 1912 in Gunsbach.[3][4] At this point in their lives, they both decided to marry and go to Africa to fulfill their desire to care for others in need. She quit her job at the orphanage and studied higher level nursing to advance her knowledge before leaving.[3][5] On Good Friday of 1913, she travelled with Albert to Lambaréné, Gabon, beginning her medical missionary adventure.[1]

University of Strasbourg, where Schweitzer took courses in medieval, modern, and art history

Aged 6, Bresslau attended Queen Charlotte's School. In 1890, she transferred to Lindner Girls' High School in Berlin. She began to pursue music studies at a music conservatory from 1897 to 1899. After receiving her teaching credentials in one year rather than the usual two, she worked as a teacher in England in 1902. Continuing to delve into her passion for learning, Bresslau took courses in medieval, modern, and art history at her father's university, the University of Strasbourg. In pursuit of music, she took voice and piano lessons.[3]

One area of study that interested Bresslau was nursing. She joined the Protestant Deaconess' Society on January 1, 1904 "to complete a course in nursing."[6] After, she was assigned to complete three months of nursing lessons in Stettin. On April 1, 1905, she took a break from nursing and went into social work. Even so, exploring another field other than nursing left her "eager to fill in the gaps" of her nursing knowledge.[6]

She changed her direction of study when she became a municipal inspector for orphans in 1905. She maintained the position from 1905 to 1909.[6] This endeavor attributes largely to part of her own goal to improve the social sphere. However, her home's "Jewish atmosphere" widely influenced her as she was taught to "pay it forward."[3] Including and prior to this job, all of her endeavors were based on her own emotions and goals without Albert's influence. In one of his letters, he notes "it is you who have won, happy to have found a task that will fill your life, and you’ve done it ahead of me", addressing her social work in Strasbourg's City Orphan Administration.[3]

On October 1, 1909, Schweitzer "enrolled as a student in the nursing school of the Protestant Deaconess' Society in Frankfurt in the city hospital" to further her knowledge in the profession, thus beginning her nursing career.[6]

Schweitzer experienced tremendous health issues throughout her life, mostly in relation to her lungs. She first encountered tuberculosis before she turned ten. She was officially diagnosed in the spring of 1922 with laryngeal tuberculosis after exhibiting symptoms of "pain, fever, and coughing up blood." In addition, the heat of Africa caused many respiratory issues. In 1915, she contracted phlebitis resulting in two weeks of therapeutic bed rest. She also had pneumonia in 1929, almost keeping her from returning to Lambaréné. Despite her already weak lungs, she completed the trip, though she had to return early due to illness again.[3]

Albert's tomb at a hospital in Lambaréné

Schweitzer died on June 1, 1957,[10] and her remains are located in Lambaréné.[1] When Albert died, he was buried next to her. Schweitzer's grave with Albert lies on the banks of the Ogooue River, marked by a cross he made himself.[11]

Schweitzer contributed greatly to the work done in Lambaréné. A role model as an independent, educated woman with a deep intellectual curiosity, she was "One of the first female students at the University of Strasbourg" and "One of the first female employees in the community administration" at the orphanage. Her aid in the poor relief system, "Armenpflegesystem," mirrored in modern social welfare, saw the illegitimate mortality rate fall. Setting precedence as a female medical missionary in the early 20th century, she established lasting effects of nursing and education in Lambaréné. She co-founded the Schweitzer Hospital, documented much of Albert's autobiography, and "supported the [mission] work with lectures and fund-raising" essential to its upkeep and vivacity.[3]