The statue honours Crimean War heroine Mary Seacole, the
Jamaican-born nurse who cared for wounded British soldiers at a field hospital
she independently set up in Crimea in the 19th century.
The statue fittingly stands in the garden of St Thomas'
hospital on London's Southbank, and was unveiled by actress Baroness Floella
Benjamin.
Seacole was named the Greatest Black Briton in a 2004 poll,
but it took a 12-year campaign for the statue to come to fruition.
In that time more than £500,000 was raised in donations from
thousands of supporters.
Campaigners said the bronze statue, created by sculptor
Martin Jennings, provides recognition of the contribution made by black and
ethnic minority people throughout British history.
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."
Mary Seacole became known as "Mother Seacole" and,
at the time, her reputation rivalled that of Florence Nightingale.
Lord Soley, chair of the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue
Appeal, said: "After 12 years of campaigning, we look forward to finally
granting Mary Seacole the acknowledgement she deserves for her selfless support
of British soldiers."
Sir Hugh Taylor, chairman of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS
Foundation Trust, said he was "delighted" that the hospital was
hosting the statue.
He said: "This will be a fitting tribute to a woman who
was a pioneer for the generations of nurses and other staff from black and
minority ethnic backgrounds who have served the NHS so well over the years.
"Mary Seacole is a positive role model for the current
generation of nurses and other healthcare professionals, speaking to the
diversity of our local population, our patients and the staff who work
here."
Culled from http://news.sky.com/story/1719815/landmark-mary-seacole-statue-unveiled-in-london
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