Which organization was one of the first to identify the health needs of women and children in Canada?

The Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) was instrumental in identifying and addressing the health needs of women and children in Canada. Established in 1897, the VON focused on providing nursing care to the most vulnerable populations, especially in rural and underserved areas. Their emphasis on maternal and child health made them pioneers in recognizing specific health care requirements for these groups. The organization played a crucial role in bringing attention to issues such as maternal mortality and infant health, which were critical at the time.

The other organizations mentioned, while notable in their own contexts, did not primarily focus on the health needs of women and children to the same extent as the VON. For example, the Canadian Red Cross has a broader mandate in emergency response and humanitarian aid, the Children's Aid Society primarily deals with child welfare and social support rather than direct health care, and the Order of St. John focuses on emergency services and first aid rather than specific health needs related to women and children. Thus, VON's targeted mission in health care uniquely positions it as one of the first organizations to identify and address these health needs in Canada.