The UK’s first memorial statue of a named black woman, Mary Seacole, has been unveiled in London.
She was a Jamaican-born nurse who cared for wounded British soldiers during the Crimean War in the 19th Century.
The statue’s completion follows a 12-year campaign, which raised £500,000 to honour Mrs Seacole.
Campaigners said the bronze provided recognition of the contribution made by black and ethnic minority people throughout British history.
Actress and broadcaster Baroness Benjamin unveiled the statue.
Emeritus Professor of Nursing Elizabeth Anionwu said the unveiling was “extremely significant” because it was the first statue of a named black woman in the UK.
“For somebody like myself, a nurse of mixed heritage – Mary was Jamaican-Scottish, I’m Nigerian-Irish heritage – there’s a link there. I have an 8-year-old granddaughter, and at last youngsters will be able to see a beautiful monument that they can identify with.”
‘Aid and succour’
The statue, which was created by sculptor Martin Jennings and stands opposite the Houses of Parliament in the grounds of St Thomas’ Hospital, also features a memorial disc.
It is inscribed with words written in 1857 by The Times’ Crimean War correspondent, Sir William Howard Russell: “I trust that England will not forget one who nursed her sick, who sought out her wounded to aid and succour them, and who performed the last offices for some of her illustrious dead.”
In November, Chancellor George Osborne announced the Treasury would contribute £240,000 to help pay for the installation.
Mary Seacole, 1805-1881
Born to a Scottish soldier and a Jamaican woman in 1805, Mary Jane Grantlearned her nursing skills from her mother, who kept a boarding house for invalid soldiers
She and her family had few civil rights – they could not vote, hold public office or enter the professions
Married Edwin Seacole in 1836 – he died eight years later
She travelled widely visiting the Caribbean, Central America and the UK. On these trips she studied traditional and European medical ideas
In 1854, she travelled to England and approached the War Office, asking to be sent as an Army nurse to the Crimea
She was refused but went anyway. Once there, she established the British Hotel near Balaclava to provide “comfortable quarters for sick and convalescent officers” and also nursed the wounded on the battlefield – sometimes under the hail of gunfire
She became known as “Mother Seacole” and, at the time, her reputation rivalled that of Florence Nightingale
After the war she returned to England destitute and in ill health
In July 1857 a benefit festival was organised to raise money for her, attracting thousands of people
She died on 14 May 1881
“If you have a statue for Florence Nightingale, you should have one for Mary Seacole,” said the historian Dr Ron Ramdin, who wrote her biography.
“She had no privileges. She had to make her own way, which in the 19th Century for a black woman was very difficult.
“The fact that when she met Florence Nightingale and she did not get the job nursing in the Scutari hospital didn’t faze her. She continued on her way to the front.”
