Elizabeth Hirschboeck
Encyclopedia
Dr. Elizabeth Hirschboeck (March 10, 1903-September 20, 1986) perhaps better known as Sister Mary Mercy was a member of the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic and a renowned international humanitarian.
, to Stephen and Katherine Hirschboeck on March 10, 1903. On December 2, 1922, while a student at Marquette University
, Elizabeth survived a serious automobile accident. She was convinced that God spared her life so she could consecrate it more fully to Him. She expressed her desire to join the Maryknoll Sisters at that time; however, Mother Mary Joseph encouraged her to first complete her medical studies. She received a bachelors of science in 1927 and a doctoral degree in 1928 from the Medical School.
as a medical missionary from 1931 to 1940, when she returned to Maryknoll, New York
due to her declining health. Three years later, Sr. M. Mercy left for Riberalta, Bolivia where she stayed for seven years. In 1951, at the height of the Korean War
, she requested permission to travel to South Korea
to help with the influx of refugees from the North. The United Nations
approved her request, and she established a medical relief clinic in Pusan that aided thousands of people daily. This mission, described in her biography Her Name Is Mercy, was widely publicized as “the longest charity line in the world.” In 1954, Sister Mary Mercy left South Korea
for the United States
to become administrator of the Maryknoll Sisters’ Queen of the World Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri
, the first fully integrated general hospital in the city. Elected Vicaress General of Maryknoll Sisters Congregation in 1958, a position she held until 1970, Sr. M. Mercy returned to the group’s headquarters in Maryknoll, New York. In 1973, she moved to the lower east side of New York City
to establish a mission to the poor of the city. She remained there until her death on September 20, 1986.
http://www.marquette.edu/library/collections/archives/SuperB/B-5-4_Hirschboeck.html
The collection contains Sr. Mary Mercy Hirschboeck's outgoing correspondence to her family, Herbert and Myrtle Hirschboeck (her brother and sister-in-law), and John and Rosemary Hirschboeck (a second brother and sister-in-law). The correspondence documents Sr. M. Mercy's daily life, offering insights into early twentieth century-missionary and medical practices. Incoming and third-party correspondence relates to business transactions and donations. The collection includes numerous family photographs, ca. 1896-1928, and photographs of Sr. M. Mercy at her missions in [Bolivia] and Korea, and in Maryknoll, New York. Miscellaneous material consists of biographical information; a presentation copy of Her Name Is Mercy signed by the author; newsclippings; obituary notices; letters of condolence to Herbert Hirschboeck; and other records.
Early life and education
Elizabeth Josephine Hirschboeck was born in Milwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, to Stephen and Katherine Hirschboeck on March 10, 1903. On December 2, 1922, while a student at Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
, Elizabeth survived a serious automobile accident. She was convinced that God spared her life so she could consecrate it more fully to Him. She expressed her desire to join the Maryknoll Sisters at that time; however, Mother Mary Joseph encouraged her to first complete her medical studies. She received a bachelors of science in 1927 and a doctoral degree in 1928 from the Medical School.
Humanitarian Work
Following graduation, she joined the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic as the first medical doctor to enter the foreign missionary group. She was thereafter known as Sister Mary Mercy. She worked in North KoreaNorth Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
as a medical missionary from 1931 to 1940, when she returned to Maryknoll, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
due to her declining health. Three years later, Sr. M. Mercy left for Riberalta, Bolivia where she stayed for seven years. In 1951, at the height of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, she requested permission to travel to South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
to help with the influx of refugees from the North. The United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
approved her request, and she established a medical relief clinic in Pusan that aided thousands of people daily. This mission, described in her biography Her Name Is Mercy, was widely publicized as “the longest charity line in the world.” In 1954, Sister Mary Mercy left South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to become administrator of the Maryknoll Sisters’ Queen of the World Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, the first fully integrated general hospital in the city. Elected Vicaress General of Maryknoll Sisters Congregation in 1958, a position she held until 1970, Sr. M. Mercy returned to the group’s headquarters in Maryknoll, New York. In 1973, she moved to the lower east side of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to establish a mission to the poor of the city. She remained there until her death on September 20, 1986.
Archival Collections
Elizabeth Hirschboeck Papers, Marquette Universityhttp://www.marquette.edu/library/collections/archives/SuperB/B-5-4_Hirschboeck.html
The collection contains Sr. Mary Mercy Hirschboeck's outgoing correspondence to her family, Herbert and Myrtle Hirschboeck (her brother and sister-in-law), and John and Rosemary Hirschboeck (a second brother and sister-in-law). The correspondence documents Sr. M. Mercy's daily life, offering insights into early twentieth century-missionary and medical practices. Incoming and third-party correspondence relates to business transactions and donations. The collection includes numerous family photographs, ca. 1896-1928, and photographs of Sr. M. Mercy at her missions in [Bolivia] and Korea, and in Maryknoll, New York. Miscellaneous material consists of biographical information; a presentation copy of Her Name Is Mercy signed by the author; newsclippings; obituary notices; letters of condolence to Herbert Hirschboeck; and other records.
See also
- Marquette University Special Collections and University ArchivesMarquette University Special Collections and University ArchivesThe mission of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives of Marquette University is to collect, arrange, describe, preserve, and service records of enduring historical value for research, instructional, and administrative use...
- Marquette UniversityMarquette UniversityMarquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...