Top medical school honours 'the Black Florence Nightingale'
Tuesday 17 May 2005One of Britain's most prestigious medical schools will name a boardroom after Jamaican pioneer nurse and Crimean war hero Mary Seacole. And Jamaican High Commissioner Gail Mathurin will perform the official opening at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). LSHTM decided to honour Mary - known as "the black Florence Nightingale" - to mark the bicentenary of her birth in 1805. LSHTM Director Professor Sir Andrew Haines said: "Mary Seacole overcame prejudice to make a major contribution to nursing injured troops in the Crimea, despite having her applications rejected by the War Office, the army medical department and those selecting assistants for Florence Nightingale. "At considerable personal risk, she tended troops near the battlefield, often under fire." Sir Andrew added that Mary - known as Mother Mary by grateful soldiers - combined a knowledge of traditional medicine with European medical ideas and became famous for her compassion towards the wounded and traumatized troops in her care. He said: "By naming this room after her, LSHTM acknowledges her inspirational legacy and aims to keep her memory alive among students and staff." Mary - who was forced to raise her own funds to travel to the Crimea - was financially ruined after the war. But two army commanders from the Crimea staged a London benefit to raise money from her, which attracted thousands of participants. But, while Florence Nightingale became a national icon, Mary's contribution was later forgotten - until campaigners began to work to restore her place in British history. Last year, she came top of a poll recognising 100 Great Black Britons and a campaign to erect a statue of her in London is underway. Ms Mathurin said: "As a Jamaican, I am especially delighted to see that Mary Seacole is finally receiving the recognition she so richly deserves. "Her legacy lives on in hundreds of Jamaican nurses who have followed in her footsteps. Many of them have played, and continue to play, a significant role in Britain's health service. "I am very pleased that the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, a world renowned institution dedicated to the improvement of health services across the globe, has decided to honour and recognise Mary Seacole. "It's a fitting tribute to someone who spent her entire life bringing comfort and relief to many." Other guests at the dedication include Prof. Elizabeth Anionwu, head of the Mary Seacole Centre for Nursing Practice at Thames Valley University and an honorary professor at LSHTM and Jane Robinson, author of a 2004 biography of Mary Seacole. ENDS Notes to newsdesks Ms Mathurin will name the boardroom at LSHTM's 8, Bedford Square premises between 4-6 pm on Tuesday, May 17. Further information from: |
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