When it comes to the life of Isabelle Arthur, there is not an abundance of historical documentation. Most of the information that can be found about her focuses on her time as Nelson’s Medical Health Officer or in association with her husband. However, that does not mean her story is not worthy of telling. As an active community member, student, and doctor, she achieved much. As a woman in her time, she thrived in an environment designed more for the success of her male counterparts.

In the beginning: A Prenuptial Promise

It was apparent that Isabelle was not prepared to conform to society’s views of women in the 1890s. She demonstrated this admirable characteristic when a young, handsome, and headstrong Edward Arthur got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. Isabelle insisted that if she accepted his proposal, he must support her in her possible future endeavours of studying medicine.

Isabelle’s interest in medicine was something she even spoke about as a child. She discussed the possibility of being a nurse with her sister very early on in her life. After the loss of her two children, Isabelle decided that she wanted to understand health and medical care to the best of her ability. She invested in her own intelligence and drive and set her sights on Portland, Oregon. She enrolled in the University of Oregon in 1894 and was one of three female students. Dr. Isabelle Arthur graduated second in her class in 1897. She was one of the very few female physicians in Canada.

Isabelle Lennox Arthur, 1897. A graduate of the University of Oregon.

Dr. Isabelle Arthur hurried back to Nelson and found an office and surgical procedure room waiting for her, a commendable gesture from her proud husband. Dr. Isabelle Arthur promptly opened her own practice. Additionally, she made a gallant effort to share information on healthy pregnancies and was the first to advocate for her patients and provide prenatal care.

A Prominent Figure in the Community

In 1910, Dr. Isabelle Arthur was appointed to the position of Nelson’s first School Medical Health Officer. Annually, she received a $1.00 payment per head of every student and administrative staff member she examined. Later. Dr. Isabelle and Dr. Edward Arthur founded the Nelson University Club and they petitioned the government to provide funding for a university in the province.

Her husband’s determination to fight in World War 1 led to his being posted in Bramshott, England in August 1916. Dr. Isabelle Arthur was appointed the city’s Medical Health Officer shortly after. When she wasn’t fulfilling the duties of her new roles, working as the School Medical Health Officer, or attending meetings, she was advocating for those with disabilities and fighting for social welfare. Dr. Isabelle Arthur also found the time to work tirelessly as a member of the National Council of Women, the Library Board, the Women’s Institute, and lobbied the government to hire nurses in rural areas. She also appeared before the Provincial Board of Health and presented a paper on Child Welfare in 1918.

Nurses and Doctors at the site of the new Kootenay Lake Hospital.

The City’s Medical Health Officer, but so Much More

Although this article has already touched on the efforts of Dr. Isabelle Arthur during the 1918 Spanish Influenza Epidemic, it is still paramount that her actions receive thorough recognition. In an article titled, “Doctors Edward Charles and Isabelle Delamge Arthur: Nelson Pioneers” Pat A. Rogers stated that despite the flu being perceived as unstoppable, Dr. Arthur did everything in her power to combat the dangers and threats it imposed. Additional notable obstacles Dr. Arthur was forced to face were those who protested her orders because she was a woman. During that time, it was rare to see a woman in a place of power and decision-making. Nevertheless, Dr. Arthur kept steady faith in her education of contagious, infectious diseases and medicine in general. Her ability to push forward in the face of adversities is a large contributing factor to her being one of the most progressive women in Kootenay history.