Sally Lucas Jean, RN (1878-1971) pioneered health education in the United States and globally. At the time of her death in 1971, aged 93, her legacy included serving on boards of leading American health associations, spearheading public health projects worldwide and transforming thinking on contemporary public health education. Sally Lucas Jean's influence continues today, from her input on educational children's television programs, policies on child health and her involvement in developing the early foundations of health communication. In this historical reflection, we examine her role in defining health education and communication, alongside influencing and applying strategies to improve public health nursing.