Dr. Helen Johnston

Dr. Helen Johnston

Dr. Helen Johnston, Iowa - Iota, was a physician specializing in internal medicine and was the recipient of many honors which few in her profession achieved. Delta Zeta was her first interest which led to her service on the National Council. She was the National Treasurer from 1930 through 1936. She also shared her abilities with Altrusa International, a society of importance as a women’s service organization. Dr. Johnston had a large medical practice in Des Moines, Iowa, which she limited to women. Besides her devotion to her local patients, she was president of the American Medical Women’s Association in 1946–1947. In 1934, she was a delegate to that organization in Stockholm, Sweden and in 1947 and 1952 councilor for it in Amsterdam and France. Dr. Johnston felt no discrimination because she was a woman and believed that success in her field depended on the woman herself and her ability. She was listed in “Who’s Who in Medicine,” “Who’s Who in America” and named “Iowa Medical Woman of the Year” in 1956. Dr. Johnston was named the 1957 Woman of the Year.