Mary Breckinridge was a pioneering nurse and midwife who founded the Frontier Nursing Service in 1925. This organization provided healthcare to women and children in the rural Appalachian region of Kentucky. Breckinridge's work focused on improving maternal and infant health, addressing the high mortality rates in these communities. She was also instrumental in establishing the first nurse-midwifery training program in the United States. Breckinridge's efforts helped to professionalize midwifery and highlighted the importance of accessible healthcare. Her legacy continues to influence nursing and midwifery practices today.