Presenter(s)
Emma Boots, Anna Kunau, Rachel Smith, and Ella Stewart
Abstract
Our research project honors Gudrun Stenoien. Stenoien was a nurse in the 26th General Hospital Unit of the United States during World War II. During the war, Stenoien, affectionately known as "Goodie," documented her experiences through photographs and letters home. From North Africa to Italy, Goodie served as a Second Lieutenant nurse for the Army from 1942 to 1944. By reading her letters and analyzing documents, we have learned about the legacy Gudrun Stenoien left in her nursing career. Goodie's detailed collection of photographs and letters was generously donated to Winona State University, inspiring research into her journey. Her story also motivated us to further explore nursing during World War II. Through our research, we uncovered many untold stories and noted the lack of overall representation of nurses in the war. While World War nurses were not directly involved in battle, their service was vital to America's success. We believe these stories need to be shared, and the sacrifices made by nurses should be recognized. Gudrun Stenoien's legacy exemplifies the importance and experiences of the dedicated nurses who served in World War II.
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department
History
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Matthew Lindaman
Location
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Start Date
4-23-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
2a=1pm-2pm
Poster Number
33
Forgotten Heroes: The Legacy of World War II Nurses
Kryzsko Great River Ballroom, Winona, Minnesota; United States
Our research project honors Gudrun Stenoien. Stenoien was a nurse in the 26th General Hospital Unit of the United States during World War II. During the war, Stenoien, affectionately known as "Goodie," documented her experiences through photographs and letters home. From North Africa to Italy, Goodie served as a Second Lieutenant nurse for the Army from 1942 to 1944. By reading her letters and analyzing documents, we have learned about the legacy Gudrun Stenoien left in her nursing career. Goodie's detailed collection of photographs and letters was generously donated to Winona State University, inspiring research into her journey. Her story also motivated us to further explore nursing during World War II. Through our research, we uncovered many untold stories and noted the lack of overall representation of nurses in the war. While World War nurses were not directly involved in battle, their service was vital to America's success. We believe these stories need to be shared, and the sacrifices made by nurses should be recognized. Gudrun Stenoien's legacy exemplifies the importance and experiences of the dedicated nurses who served in World War II.
