Honouring Dr. Helen Glass
DR. HELEN PRESTON GLASS, O.C., O.M., Ed.D., Hon. LL.D., Hon. D.Sc.
A Lifetime of Achievement
Dr. Helen Preston Glass’s life was a remarkable journey of vision, vitality, and unwavering dedication. From the bedside to the boardroom, from Manitoba to the world stage, she shaped the very landscape of Canadian nursing with grace, determination, and a clear sense of purpose.
The Formative Years: A Foundation of Excellence
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan on 24 October 1917 to Harold Preston and Mildred Landon, her path was one of excellence from the start. She received a Diploma in Nursing in 1939 from the Royal Victoria Hospital School of Nursing in Montreal, gaining profound proficiency in bedside care. That same year, she joined the Association of Registered Nurses in the Province of Quebec, stepping firmly onto her professional path. Beyond her vocation, Helen was a woman of vibrant energy and athleticism—sailing, skiing, competing in the Canadian Ladies’ Golf Union Open, swimming, and diving—qualities that reflected the balance and drive that would define her career.
Her early career included vital nursing work before she embraced education, beginning as a Nursing Instructor at the Holy Family School of Nursing in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, in 1953.
The Manitoba Years: Cultivating Leadership
After moving to Winnipeg in 1955, she earned a certificate in teaching and supervision from the University of Manitoba in 1958. Her leadership in the nursing profession flourished as she began teaching at the University of Manitoba’s School of Nursing in 1962, eventually serving as its Director from 1972 to 1979.
The Columbia Years: A Scholar’s Path
Her pursuit of knowledge at Teacher’s College, Columbia University, was extraordinary: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1960), a Master of Arts (1961), a Master of Education (1970), and a Doctor of Education in Nursing (1971). Recognized with the prestigious Katherine E. MacLaggan Fellowship for her high leadership and scholastic ability, she was a force of intellect and vision. During this time, she also served as Past President of the Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses, honing the skills that would propel her to national leadership.
A Pioneering Director & National Leader
As Director of the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Manitoba, her legacy took bold shape. She played a pivotal role in establishing the university’s graduate program in nursing and in creating the Manitoba Nursing Research Institute (MNRI), now the Manitoba Centre for Nursing and Health Research (MCNHR). She presided over the graduation of the first Master of Nursing students, Annette Gupton and Lorne McDougall. Her leadership embodied the words of John Steinbeck:
“Man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe, grows beyond his work, walks up the stairs of his concepts, emerges ahead of his accomplishments.”
Her graduate students said it simply: “Thank you, Dr. Glass, for leading the way.”
A Woman of Vision and Global Leadership
As President of the Canadian Nurses Association (1982-84), she contributed significantly to the wording and scope of the landmark Canada Health Act in 1984. Her influence soon spanned continents as a World Health Organization consultant, and First Vice-President of the International Council of Nurses (1985-1989), championing nursing from a global perspective at the World Health Assembly and the Pan American Health Organization.
Honours, Awards & Lasting Legacy
Her extraordinary contributions have been celebrated with the highest accolades:
YWCA Woman of the Year (1979)
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
City of Winnipeg Community Service Award (1987)
Inducted into the Manitoba Order of the Buffalo Hunt as Provost (1987)
Officer of the Order of Canada (1988)
The Mary Tolle Wright Leadership Founders Award, Sigma Theta Tau International (1989)
Jeanne Mance Award, Canadian Nurses Association (1992)—described by President Alice Baumgart as a “nursing visionary.”
Honorary Life Membership, Canadian Public Health Association (1996)
Ethel Johns Award, CAUSN (1999)
Order of Manitoba (2008)
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
Inducted into the Columbia University Teacher’s College Nursing Hall of Fame
She received honorary degrees from Memorial University (1983), University of Western Ontario (1986), St. Francis Xavier University (1991), Université de Montréal (1993), and McGill University (1995).
The Helen Glass Centre for Nursing, dedicated on April 18, 2000, and the Annual Helen Glass Research Symposium, established through the generous support of the Glass Family, stand as enduring testaments to her impact. Appointed Professor Emerita of Nursing at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Helen Preston Glass leaves behind a transformative legacy—a lifetime of achievement, a remarkable journey, and the enduring image of an extraordinary woman who always walked ahead of her accomplishments.
We honour her, we remember her, and we continue the path she forged.
Adapted from the Manitoba Historical Society Archives (2024).
