Recognition to Anna Justina Ferreira Nery: woman and personality in nursing history

ABSTRACT

Objective

To analyze the rituals of consolidation of the character of Anna Nery as a Brazilian nurse, the heroine of the War of Paraguay, during the transfer of her remains to the city of Cachoeira (BA).

Method

Socio-historical study in printed and photographic documentary sources, belonging to the collections of the Anna Nery Nursing School Documentation Center of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Nursing School of the Federal University of Bahia and the Brazilian Digital Library of the National Library. Analysis of printed information was based on Bardin, and iconology for imagery sources.

Results

Two key aspects are revealed, the legitimacy of a heroin nurse by the State and the transfer process with its interfaces and historical, political, economic, and social aspects. It highlights the construction of a female, civic, and hero icon linked to the effervescence of the gender discussion that contributes to shaping professional identity in nursing education.

Conclusion and implications for practice

The study allows to understand the determinants and implications of historical facts in Anna Nery´s biography for Nursing and Nurses, revealing the rituals of the transfer of her remains and their influences in the construction of the social image of women and nurse women.

Keywords:
Nursing; History of Nursing; Wars; Biography; Funeral Rites