Cover Image: Pastel on porcelain portrait of Mary Baker Eddy 1911 by Alice Barbour. In a private collection, used by permission.

In March of each year, the United States celebrates National Women’s History Month and on March 8th, the world celebrates International Women’s Day.

We take this opportunity to recognize Mary Baker Eddy and her contributions to humanity. In 1995, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Three years earlier, the Women’s National Book Association named her seminal work Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures one of “75 Books by Women Whose Words Have Changed the World.”

Three significant titles are given to her: Discoverer, Founder, Leader. She is the Discoverer of Christian Science — the spiritual laws that Jesus demonstrated in his healing ministry. She is the Founder of the Christian Science Church, dedicated to establish and maintain this healing mission. As Leader, Mrs. Eddy admonishes her followers “…follow your Leader only so far as she follows Christ” (Message to The Mother Church, June 1901 34:25-26)

She was a prolific author, teacher, and healer. After years of ill health, she overcame her challenges through reliance on Christ Jesus’ spiritual method of healing. This life experience made Mrs. Eddy especially attuned to the needs of the sick. One of her significant additions to the Church Manual was the By-Law for the Christian Science nurse: “a Christian Science nurse shall be one who has a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice, who thoroughly understands the practical wisdom necessary in a sick room, and who can take proper care of the sick” (Art. VIII, Sect. 31). Mrs. Eddy also wrote the Christian Science Board of Directors to establish “a Christian Science resort for the so-called sick” (L01020, The Mary Baker Eddy Collection, The Mary Baker Eddy Library).

High Ridge House and her sister facilities serve as an important refuge for Christian Science nursing care and healing. High Ridge House has been fulfilling its healing mission for over 70 years. As our society debates various methods of care, how grateful we can be for Mrs. Eddy’s vision of lives healed through spiritual means alone. And what a powerful gift to experience true freedom from any limitation that may impede our growth and fulfillment.

Thank you Mary Baker Eddy for this “unspeakable gift”! (II Corinthians 9:15)

With Gratitude,

Marivic B. Mabanag
Executive Director