Quick Facts
Born: November 26, 1827 • Gorham, Maine
Died: July 16, 1915 (aged 87) • Elmshaven, St. Helena, California
Known For:
• Co-founding the Seventh-day Adventist Church
• Writing over 100,000 pages on religion, education, and health
• Advocating for plant-based diets, exercise, and personal hygiene
• Inspiring the creation of the Adventist health system
• Influencing modern preventative care long before it was mainstream
• Serving as a spiritual leader, speaker, and prolific writer
Legacy
Ellen G. White is among the most influential religious figures in American history and one of the most impactful voices in health and wellness. Her insights on diet, hygiene, and holistic living helped establish the foundation for what became the global Adventist health network, now one of the largest and most respected hospital systems in the world.
Trailblazing Achievements
Ellen G. White’s early life was anything but easy. At the age of nine, she suffered a serious injury when a classmate threw a rock that hit her in the face, resulting in lifelong physical effects. She left school and faced health issues throughout her life, but none of that prevented her from becoming a prolific speaker, writer, and spiritual leader.
In 1844, at just 17 years old, Ellen claimed to have received her first divine vision. Over the next 70 years, she would report hundreds more—visions that guided not only the formation of a new religious movement but also a global health philosophy that still endures.
Founding a Faith, Building a Movement
Ellen G. White co-founded the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 1860s alongside her husband, James White, and a small group of reform-minded Christians. She quickly emerged as the most prominent voice of the movement, writing thousands of articles and dozens of books on topics ranging from theology and education to parenting and disease prevention.
While her role as a religious prophet is well-known, her contributions to health and wellness are equally groundbreaking. In an era when handwashing was still debated, Ellen was an advocate for clean water, natural remedies, nutritious food, exercise, and mental health, all of which she considered essential to human well-being.
Whole Health Before It Was Cool
Long before the concept of “lifestyle medicine” emerged, Ellen G. White was advocating for it. She urged individuals to:
- Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and stimulants
- Consume a plant-based diet abundant in fruits, grains, and vegetables
- Emphasize daily exercise, fresh air, and sunlight
- Prioritize emotional and spiritual well-being • Eschew overmedication and harmful drugs whenever possible
- Observe the Sabbath for spiritual and physical renewal
She believed that the body, mind, and soul were profoundly interconnected and that caring for one’s health was both a moral and spiritual obligation. Her holistic vision was viewed as radical at the time, yet many of her principles are now essential to modern preventive medicine.
From Writings to Hospitals
Her writings directly inspired the creation of the Adventist healthcare system, which began with the founding of the Western Health Reform Institute in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1866. This institution later evolved into the Battle Creek Sanitarium, influencing notable figures such as John Harvey Kellogg, the inventor of cornflakes.
From these origins emerged the modern Adventist Health network, which now comprises more than 200 hospitals and clinics across multiple countries. Its emphasis on patient-centered, whole-person care remains rooted in Ellen G. White’s original health philosophy.
Controversies
While Ellen G. White is revered by many, her legacy has not been without criticism:
- Skeptics have questioned the divine origin of her visions, with some accusing her of plagiarism or relying too heavily on contemporary writers.
- Some perceived her strict views on diet and personal behavior as overly rigid or moralizing.
- Some of her 19th-century writings on race and culture, while progressive for their time, can seem outdated or problematic through a modern lens.
Nonetheless, even among critics, her influence on health and wellness is widely acknowledged, and many of her health teachings have been vindicated by science over time.
In Her Own Words
“True education is missionary work. It is the united training of the mental and moral powers.” – She saw education and health as part of the same mission—to uplift and empower.
“Gratitude, rejoicing, benevolence, trust in God’s love and care—these are health’s greatest safeguards.” – Ellen believed emotional and spiritual well-being were as important as physical health.
“Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them.” – She advocated for self-reliance and natural healing methods long before herbalism was trendy.
“The health should be as sacredly guarded as the character.” – To her, taking care of your body was part of your spiritual duty.
“It is the duty of every person to become intelligent in regard to disease and its causes.” – She empowered ordinary people to take charge of their health through knowledge and prevention.
Her Lasting Legacy
Today, the Adventist healthcare system remains one of the most influential and respected in the world. Its teachings helped spark a global movement of wellness-focused institutions that emphasize not only physical care but also emotional and spiritual support.
Many Adventist communities continue to experience longer and healthier lives compared to the general population. The Loma Linda, California, Adventist community is one of the world’s few “Blue Zones,” where people routinely live for 100 years or more. These ideas helped shift medicine toward prevention, personal responsibility, and holistic wellness—decades before mainstream medicine caught up.
Personal Reflections
As a midwife, I engage with women every day about wellness that extends far beyond diet or exercise. Ellen G. White recognized this long before it became popular. She didn’t just discuss curing disease—she advocated for preventing it. She didn’t merely instruct people on what to do—she motivated them to live better.
Her emphasis on whole-person care profoundly resonates with me. As someone who supports women through birth, healing, and transformation, I witness firsthand how interconnected our bodies, minds, and spirits are. Ellen’s work reminds me that true health isn’t solely about avoiding sickness. It’s about living intentionally, with joy, purpose, and rest.
She was a healer of hearts and homes, and her ripple effect continues to touch lives worldwide.
And for that, SHEis Amazing!
Key Milestones
Explore More About Ellen G. White
- The Ellen G. White Estate
- “The Ministry of Healing” by Ellen G. White
- “A Prophet Among You” by T. Housel Jemison
- Ellen G. White – Wikipedia
Note: Full disclosure: SHEis Online earns a small (very small) commission on any links in the article that take you to Amazon.
—- Stay Strong! Jaelin —-
Find out more about Jaelin’s Homebirth Practice (Holistic Heritage Homebirth) in Houston, TX
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