Sara Corning

Sara Corning nurse

Sara Corning (March 16, 1872 – May 5, 1969) was a Canadian nurse and humanitarian known for her work in the Ottoman Empire during the Armenian Genocide. She played a significant role in rescuing and caring for Armenian orphans and refugees.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Sara Corning was born in Chegoggin, Nova Scotia, Canada. She trained as a nurse in the United States, graduating from the New England Hospital for Women and Children in Boston, Massachusetts.

Humanitarian Work[edit | edit source]

In 1919, Corning joined the Near East Relief, an American organization dedicated to aiding victims of the Armenian Genocide. She traveled to the Ottoman Empire and worked in various orphanages and refugee camps, providing medical care and support to thousands of Armenian children and families.

Rescue Mission[edit | edit source]

One of Corning's most notable achievements was her involvement in the rescue of Armenian orphans from the city of Smyrna (now Izmir, Turkey) during the Great Fire of Smyrna in 1922. She helped evacuate hundreds of children to safety, ensuring their survival and well-being.

Later Life and Legacy[edit | edit source]

After her humanitarian work in the Ottoman Empire, Corning returned to Nova Scotia, where she continued to be involved in community service. She passed away in 1969 at the age of 97. In recognition of her contributions, a school in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia was named in her honor, and she was posthumously awarded the Order of Canada.