Nell Kendall Hodgson Woodruff was born October 20, 1892 in Athens, Georgia, to Edward Hodgson and Mary Strahan. She graduated from a two-year nursing program at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens before marrying Robert Winship Woodruff on October 17, 1912. During World War I, Nell Woodruff served as an American Red Cross nurse aide volunteer, training other nurse aides. She volunteered again during World War II and was given permission to serve as a nurse's aid in any United States hospital.

In 1946 Emory's Nursing School Alumni Association recognized her devotion to nursing education with its first honorary life membership. The Georgia State Nursing Association also bestowed a life membership on Woodruff in 1952 for her service to Georgia's nursing profession. A longtime leader in nursing and health fields, she served as an official United States delegate to the World Health Assemblies in 1954 and 1955. In 1967 Emory University renamed its school of nursing for Nell Woodruff. She died less than a year later on January 23, 1968, in Albany, Georgia.

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From the description of Nell Hodgson Woodruff papers, 1913-1982 (bulk 1943-1968). (Unknown)