Final answer:
Edith Cavell was the founder of the first nursing school in Belgium, executed in 1915 for aiding soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium. Nurses like Elizabeth Smellie and Grace MacPherson Livingston showed exceptional courage in WWI, with their contributions leading to wider recognition of women's roles, influencing the suffrage movement in Canada.
Step-by-step explanation:
The founder of the first nursing school in Belgium, who aided soldiers escaping prison camps and was executed in 1915, was Edith Cavell. Edith Cavell was a pioneering nurse during World War I, known for her dedication to her patients and her role in helping Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium. Unfortunately, for her involvement in the escape network, she was arrested, tried, and executed by a German firing squad, becoming an iconic figure of sacrifice and heroism in the face of war.
During World War I, many nurses served with exceptional bravery and dedication. Elizabeth Smellie joined the Canadian Army Nursing service, served in both World Wars, and became the first woman colonel in the Canadian army. Another remarkable figure was Grace MacPherson Livingston, a volunteer Red Cross ambulance driver known for her courageous service during air raids.
Nurses also faced grave dangers in their line of duty. The sinking of the Llandovery Castle and the bombing of hospitals in France, where nurses were killed, are poignant reminders of the risks these medical heroes faced. The contributions of nurses were crucial, not only to the medical care of soldiers but also to the recognition of the role of women during the war effort, which was a factor in Canadian women receiving the right to vote.