Mary Breckinridge faced what could be seen as insurmountable losses early in her life. A widow before the age of thirty, after her first husband died due to complications of appendicitis, and a second marriage that ended in the loss of both her children and a divorce. Mary wanted adventure and challenge in her life, She was a strong willed and tenacious and despite the heartbreak she had, she used those hurdles to not only better her own life, but to better the lives of thousands of women and children. She had first hand witness, and personal experiences of the joy and heartbreak that can occur during maternal and child care. Mary is quoted as saying “Maternity is the young woman's battlefield. It is more dangerous, more painful, more mutilating
