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... MENNONITE NURSES' ASSOCIATION THE CHRISTIAN NURSE 1718 South 11th Street Elkhart, Indiana 46514 August 14, 1968 Dear Rachel, Your letter finally reached me. It went to the Prairie Street address. Then to the Fort Wayne address. Then to my present address. I have studied and considered that you have presented to me, and to the board regarding the proposed resolution about drafting nurses. I have talked and phoned various people have and have sought their wisdom and guidance. We all feel that we Mennonite nurses should go through the channels already set up by our church for the boys facing, draft calls, ets. We feel that we want these committees to represent us women as they do the men. I have obtained some addresses for you. You might write to these men and ask them of our possibility of being under their wings, as are our brothers. Walton Hackman, 21 South 12th Street, Akron. Penna 17501, is the Executive Secretary of Peace and Social Concerns. J. Harold Scherk, 550 Washington Building, 15 and New York Ave., NW Washington, D.D. 20005, is the Peace representative for the Mennonite Church. He has his office close to Capital Hill. My advise is that you contact these men. After they give us some concrete ideas, then maybe we should got together for a Board Meeting. We all should get together on this with one of these men or with Boyd Nelsen or with Ray Horst of the Mission Board. Thank you for your concern. God Bless You. Norma  ...

... 739 Janet Avenue Lancaster, Pa., 17601 September 14, 1968 Edna Amstutz, R.N. 301 W. 12th Street LaJunta, Colorado Dear Mrs. Amstutz: Thank you for your encouraging and prayerful letter. This is why our Association is where we stand today because of you and others who have directed or steered the Association so faithfully and I pray the Association will only be seen as a Christ-like nurses association in this world. It is most kind of your to ocnsider the faraway point and this is greatly appreciated. You need to commended on your step ahead of the Mennonite Nurses Association in re-structuring. I'm glad there is one Association with initiative who feels we cannot just wait but be up and instituting. However I am sure this period will strengthen the Association. Incidentally the Board presented a resolution to the Committee on Peace and Social Concerns reference to the drafting of nurses. The resolution is as follows: "WHEREAS The Mennonite Nurses Association's philosophy is: 'Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me, Bible', and that this is relevant to our situation today; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED: as a Christian Organization we believe in a peace-making program and not in a program of destruction; therefore we trust an alternative service - not associated with the military - be available for persons claiming the non-resistent position." This was prompted from the ANA resolution adopted or reaffirmed at the convention in Dallas, Texas May 1968. Best wishes to you and your fine association in your endeavers and may you feel keenly the Lord's direction as you plan a retreat. Sincerely  ...

... 739 Janet Avenue Lancaster, Pa., 17601 September 14, 1968 Mary Ellen Meyer, R.N. 708 Emerson Avenue Goshen, Indiana, 46526 Dear Mrs. Meyer: Thank you for your reply. Mrs. Brubaker and I have discussed the itinerary and believe one of the Board members from the Goshen area would be capable of presenting the proposed structure of the Mennonite Nurses Association. Mrs. Ernest Smucker and Mrs. Sophia Moore are Board members. I believe Mrs. Brubaker will be in contact with you to give you the details on this arrangement. My second request is in reference to our resolution which was sent to the Committee on Peace and Social Concerns. This resolution was prompted because of the action taken at the ANA convention in Dallas, Texas, May 1968. The June issue of The Journal of Nursing, page 1261 gives the ANA resolution. This is in reference to drafting nurses. Certainly the christian nurse has a tremendous opportunity to serve, however we believe in peace-making service rather tahn destructive service. The Board felt it was imperative our concerns be directed and heard to the proper authorities. The following is the resolution: "WHEREAS: the Mennonite Nurses Association's philosophy is: 'Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me, Bible', and that this is relevant to our situation today; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED: as a Christian Organization we believe in a peace-making program and not in a program of destruction; therefore we trust an alternative service - not association with the military - be available for persons claiming the nonoresistent [sic] position. The Comittee [sic] on Peace and Social Concerns suggested if this is on their agenda for the committee meeting, Nover 7-9, 1968, Cleveland, Ohio, they would like for a representative from our Association to be present. You have been suggested to serve in this capacity. Would you be able to do this service? May we discover through His leading the best to advance His kingdom. Sincerely, Rachel M. Fisher, R.N. President  ...

... 739 Janet Avenue Lancaster, Pa., 17601 September 14, 1968 Doris Nafziger, R.N. R. D. #1, Box 10 Archbold, Ohio Dear Mrs. Nafziger: Thank you for your letter and my apologies for this long delay. I have finally decided I have procrastinated long enough and I must reduce that pile of correspondence. I am delighted you plan a "revival" of your local nurses association. I have sent your letter to Mrs. Brubaker and if she cannot arrange to come, she will plan to have a Board member nearer your area join you at this meeting. Also another item which abs been dominating our business transaction by mail was a resolution from the MNA which was prompted by action taken at the ANA convention in Dallas, Texas, May 1968. This was a resolution reference to drafting nurses. Our resolution to the Committee on Peace and Social Concerns is: "WHEREAS: The Mennontie Nurses Association's philosophy is: 'Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. Bible', and that this is relevant to our situation today; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED: as a Christian Organization we believe in a peace-making program and not in a program of destruction; therefore, we trust an alternative service - not associated with the military - be available for persons claiming the non-resistent position." Best wishes to you and your association and may we feel keenly the will of the Lord in this work He has for us to do. Sincerely, Rachel M. Fisher, R.N. President  ...

... 739 Janet Avenue Lancaster, Pa., 17601 September 14, 1908 Mae Schlabach, R.N. 1187 Westmoreland Drive Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22801 Dear Mrs. Schlabach: Thank you for your letter, and I'm so glad you have arranged with Mrs. Brubaker to speak to your local group. You will enjoy Mrs. Brubaker so much and her enthusiasm just ignites the fire. Give my greetings to the Harrisonburg Mennonite Nurses Association. The Mennonite Nurses Association also has another item of interest for your nurses. At the ANA convention Dallas, Texas, May 1968, a resolution to draft nurses was adopted. The Mennonite Nurses believe we have a positive witness which we must make known to our authorities. Therefore a resolution fromm the Mennonite Nurses Association was sent to the Committee on Peace and Social Concerns as to the position we belive is Christ-like. We the resolution is: "WHEREAS: The Mennonite Nurses Association's philosophy is:'Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. Bible', and that this is relevant to our situation today; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED: as a Christian Organization we believe in a peace-making program and not in a program of destruction; therefore, we trust an alternative service not associated with the military - be available for persons claiming the non-resistent position." May the Lord direct us in this world so we will be Christ-like in our nursing ministry. Sincerely  ...

... Miss Maude Swartzendruber, LaJunta Hospital, LaJunta Colorado Miss Jean Bender, 1140 Woodward Avenue, Elkhart, Indiana, 46514 Kathryn E. Hostetler, Mt. Cl., Narman, W. Va. 26270 Norma F. Martin, 1321 1/2 Prairie St., Elkhart, Ind. 46514 Mrs. Mary E. Bigler, 145 W. Indiana Avenue, Elkhart, Ind. 46514 Mrs. Ralph Moore, R. #5, Goshen, Indian, 46526 Miss Grace Mumaw, 215 College Aven. Lan., 17602 Mrs. Ernest Smucker, R. D. #5, Bluff Road, 739 Janet Avenue Goshen, Ind. 46526 Lancaster, Pa., 17601 Miss Marian Groff, 228 E. Ross St., Lanc., Pa., 17602 Dear I am still thriving on the wonderful time we had at annual meeting and our good admonition to build with God's dimensions. The pertinent issue at stake is the resolution quoting from the June, 1968, AJN Report of Convention,page 1261, "Resolved there be nurse involvement in planning to met civilian and military care needs in time of disaster, and if or when such needs cannot be met through ordinary means, for ANA support of selective service legislation which provides for orderly and locally determined withdrawal and assignment." The christian nurse wants to do as Christ has taught us, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethern, ye have done it unto me." Therefore, it is extremely important for our Association to have a positive resolution. I have drawn a rough draft for you to study and make any changes, then return it to me with your comments for a final draft to be submitted to the Peace Problems Committee of Elkhart, M.C.C. and to be directed to the proper authorities from the Peace Problems Comnittee. Please state on your reply whether you feel a board meeting is needed and if so state a date and if you could travel to a designated place. If you feel correspondence is adequate please state that too. I would be most happy for you to act in an expeditious manner, for I have been advised by persons interested in our Association not to waste time, but to be prepared and to be one step ahead of government action. Incidently, to date I have had one reply to the letter requesting a visit to the area to present the proposed structure. This was from Sara Weaver, Eastern Ohio. Pray the Lord to have His Witness in this manner. Sincerely, Rachel M. Fisher, R.N.  ...

... Proposed Resolution "The Mennonite Nurses Association resolved to be of service to mankind in civil and wartime needs. We believe the teaching of Christ, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethern, ye have done it unto me," is relevant to our situations today We trust an alternative service-the above quoted teaching for persons claiming the Non-resistant position not to be associated with the military." This is affirmed by me. Many years ago we were urged to work toward this end by the former Harold S. Bender. The first President of Mennonite World Conference. I find you are able to state things clearly, so I think correspondence will be adequate. Depend ing on place and time, travel may be questionable for me. Everyone I have talked with, even correspond ence has been enthusiastic about the wonderful time at the annual meeting. Really regret I couldn't be there. I read just last nite [sic] that Mr. Striner ? is pushing the use of women in the war effort. So this proposal is most timely. Sincerely Mary Esther Bigler R.N. PROPOSED RESOLUTION "The Mennonite Nurses resolved to be of servce to mankind in civil and wartime needs. We believe the teaching of Christ, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethern, ye hve done it unto me," is relevant to our situation today. We trust an alternative service-the above quoted teaching for persons claiming the Non-resistant position not to be associated with the military." LaJunta Wed. A.M. 8/1/68 Dear Rachel; I am not sure if you are a "Miss" or "Mrs". so I shall simply call you by your first nsme. By the way, I am a "Mrs"- but it makes no difference to me, really, whether I get the title"Miss" since I have been a widow all these years and feel more like I am single. Your letter caught me between stops on my vacation. I finished my work here at LaJunta last Friday and since then I did a little gadding around in the mountains and came back here just to get my breath and repack my things and will be taking off again this afternoon for further west. I hope to get back to Hesston byt [sic] the last week in Aug. This LaJunta address is my sister s [sic] - so it will reach me eventually regardless of where I am. Now about the above resolution: We are back where we were in the early 40's when there was strong planning for the procurement and assigning of nurses. I recall that Verna Z. and I did some deliberating on this along with our Peace Problems Comm. Perhaps you recall reading that at that time all nurses were actually classified but peace was declared before it became necessary to actually draft or assign. I doubt that we need to call a meeting of the board I would find it difficult to find a time when I could attend any- although during that last week in Aug. I might have a few free days. But I would be in favor of doing this by correspondence . As I read through the above statement it seems the statement is incomplete. Perhaps it was not copied correctly. I do think a simple statement to the "powers-that-be" to the effect that as a Christian Org. we wish to be recognized as nurses who believe in peace-making rather than having anything to do with a destruction program. However, it seems best to word such a statement I would be in favor of your going ahead and formulating the actual wording of the same. When I get back to Hessten I shall hope to be a little more prompt in assisting with the necessary work that I should do. In re-reading the above I find my statements are not too clear or specific. Hope you get the message Sincerely- Maude S.  ...