Jane Wells Craven | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1875-01-25)January 25, 1875 |
| Died | March 3, 1958(1958-03-03) (aged 83) |
| Other names | Sister Elizabeth |
| Education | Northwestern University American School of Osteopathy |
| Occupation(s) | physician, tennis player, WWI ambulance driver, nun |
Jane Wells Craven (January 25, 1875 - March 3, 1958) was anAmerican doctor, prize-winningtennis player,World War Iambulance driver and medic. Craven won the 1899U.S. National Championships in women'sdoubles tennis, alongside her teammateMyrtle McAteer. She was awarded theCroix de Guerre in 1917 for her medical service in France during World War I. She later became aRoman Catholicnun and took the nameSister Elizabeth.
Jane Wells Craven was born on 25 January 1875 inLucknow, India, to Jane Maria (née Wells) (died 1914)[1] and Reverend Thomas Craven. Her parents married in 1870, her mother was fromNew York state and her father was aWelsh-bornMethodist Missionary. "Jennie," as she was known in the family, had three siblings: Theodora (born 1872), Henry (born 1874) and Merritt (born 1876).[2]
The Craven family immigrated to the United States in 1879[3] and had settled inEvanston,Illinois, by 1880, where Jane Wells Craven attendedEvanston Township high school. She studied medicine atNorthwestern University inEvanston,[4] graduating around 1898 with aDoctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from theAmerican School of Osteopathy.[5][2][6][7] Her siblings Theodora and Henry also attended Northwestern.[8]
Craven eventually began playinglawn tennis and won the1899 US Women's National Championship in women's doubles withMyrtle McAteer. They later played together on 30 June 1909 and won a qualifying match in the Western Pennsylvania Tennis Association tournament.[9]
In 1900, Craven narrowly escaped marrying a serialbigamist when one of his wives wrote to her and warned her of the situation. She replied "Thank you for your warning. Have learned the truth in time".[10]
By 1899, Craven was living and working inosteopathic medicine inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania,[1] as listed in thecity's directory.[2]
By 1905, Craven had returned to her birthplace of Lucknow in India and was using her medical expertise to help to plague victims there. She spokeHindi. Before 1910, she worked inEgypt, again as part of medical teams fighting contagious diseases and plague. By 1911, Craven had returned to Pittsburgh, when she was runner-up toHazel Hotchkiss in a tennis event.[2]
Whilst living in Pittsburgh, Craven visited the Iron City Fishing Club in Moon Bay,Woods Bay in theMassasauga Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. She purchased Island B69 in 1912, built a cottage on it and called itDilkusha, from Hindi. Craven sold the island in 1920, having reportedly found solace there from the traumas of her medical work in World War One.[11]
Craven was instrumental in raising funds in Pittsburgh to take afield ambulance and crew to the French front duringWorld War I. She intended to drive the ambulance herself.[12][2] Despite her qualifications as a doctor, she served as a nurse close to the front lines. At the time, doctors of osteopathy weren't allowed to join the US Military Medical Corps.[13] It was reported that "she narrowly escaped being captured by the Germans" on more than one occasion and that "her courage gained the admiration of the General Commander of Verdun",Auguste Hirschauer.[2]
In December 1917, she was awarded theCroix de Guerre for her work during the war. She is thought to be the first American woman to be honored with the award.[14][2][15]
Craven was born into a Protestant family, but formally converted to Catholicism soon after surviving her experiences during the First World War. GeneralAuguste Hirschauer stood as godfather at her baptism. She joined theDaughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul under the name of Sister Elizabeth. Initially based in France in the commune ofNeuilly in the western suburbs of Paris, her role in the sisterhood was to care for the incurably sick and infirm. She later worked in Istanbul, Turkey, in the early 1930s.[2]
Sister Elizabeth was arrested three times by German invaders in France during the Second World War. She was known to have "expressed herself openly and freely" and was often called to the mayor's office at theMairie, who warned her to be careful when expressing her opinions. She was arrested inBayeux, but was released and travelled back to Paris with another nun in a car, driving past vast lines of German mechanized equipment. She was arrested for a second time on her arrival in Paris, and accused of espionage. Asked what she had observed on her journey, Sister Elizabeth offered such vague answers that she and her fellow nun were released by the Nazis.[2]
Sister Elizabeth's third arrested was during a round up of British and Canadian Religious by the occupying forces, with the intent of sending them toBesançon, in eastern France. She faked a serious illness, which led to her release.[2]
The Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul had a house atArromanches, Normandy, connected to the community at Neuilly. AMulberry harbour artificial port was installed there as part of theInvasion of Normandy in June 1944 and the town was subject to significant bombardments. Sister Elizabeth and another nun traveled there by car to rescue "a quantity of precious metal threatened with destruction", retrieving it safely and returning to Neuilly.[2][16]
In the postwar era in 1947, Sister Elizabeth was asked to attend the mayor's office once more. On arrival, she asked: "What have I done now to be summoned again to the Town Hall?" to be met with the news she was to be awarded theCross of the Legion of Honour. She was later presented with the medal at the same ceremony asWinston Churchill, Britain’s wartime leader. His daughters had asked to be present to see the nun honored.[2][16]
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1899 | U.S. National Championships | Grass |  Myrtle McAteer | Maud BanksElizabeth Rastall | 6–1, 6–1, 7–5 |
| Result | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1899 | U.S. National Championships | Grass | James P. Gardner | Elizabeth RastallAlbert Hoskins | 6–4, 6–0 & ab. |
| Result | Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1910 | Cincinnati | Miriam Steever | Martha Kinsey Helen McLaughlin | 6–1, 4–6, 3–6 |
