Nellie Druillard: A Woman on Mission

by Anna Galeniece

“Born to serve and ready to lead!” That could easily be the motto of Phebe Helen Rankin Druillard, though everyone just called her Nellie.

Nellie was born in Wisconsin in 1845 to parents who eagerly awaited Jesus’ soon coming. From the start she loved books and learning. She studied hard, graduated from teaching college, and—get this—became both a teacher and the county superintendent of schools in Nebraska. Imagine that: a young woman in charge of an entire school system! Talk about breaking barriers!

In 1884 Nellie married Alma Druillard, a successful businessman who loved God just as much as she did. Together they made a powerhouse team. Nellie served as treasurer for several Adventist conferences and worked with the Tract and Missionary Society, helping spread books and Bible tracts far and wide. People in Nebraska admired them so much that one leader said, “Brother and Sister Druillard hold a large place in our hearts.”

Then came the big call: Africa! In 1889 the General Conference asked the Druillards to become missionaries to South Africa. Imagine packing your trunks, hugging friends goodbye, and spending weeks on a ship! Along the way their vessel stopped in London, Portugal, and the Canary Islands. It was nice to see many places along the way, but the Druillards’ hearts were set on South Africa.

Once there, Alma became a “ship missionary,” selling Adventist books to sailors from all over the world. Nellie, the born organizer, didn’t sit still either. She became president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, inspiring people to live healthier lives. In 1890 she was also elected secretary and treasurer of the South African Mission.

After about seven years in Africa, Nellie and Alma returned to the United States, where they worked at sanitariums in Michigan and Colorado. When Battle Creek College moved to Berrien Springs, Nellie helped manage the big transition.

But life brought tough times, too. When Alma died in 1903, Nellie pressed on with courage. Encouraged by Ellen White, she helped start Madison School in Tennessee, serving as its treasurer for more than 20 years. She also organized the Madison Sanitarium and its nursing school, serving as its first instructor.

Even a terrible car accident in 1922 couldn’t stop her. Lying in bed, she joked, “Now I can’t work myself to death!” But she didn’t waste a moment. Instead she envisioned the Riverside Sanitarium for poor African Americans in the South. And for the next 10 years she poured her energy into making it a reality. Then she gladly handed it to the Adventist Church so others could continue the mission.

When Nellie died in 1937 at age 91, she left behind schools, sanitariums, and missions on two continents. Her whole life shouted: “Serve God, serve others, and never give up!”

And here’s the best part of the story—you don’t have to travel across an ocean to be a missionary. You can be one right where you are or maybe someday somewhere else. God can use your willing heart just as He used Nellie.