Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal


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.

Sir William H. Russell, the famous Times newspaper Crimean war correspondent, 1857.

On Monday 24th November 2003 the campaign for a permanent memorial of Mary Seacole in London, led by Lord Clive Soley of Hammersmith was launched. Mary Seacole was a celebrated Crimean nursing heroine (www.maryseacole.com), but unlike Florence Nightingale, was left out of the Crimean War Memorial in London.

Latest update: Shortlist of memorial artists released (18/12/2008) Read more in latest news.

The Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal (www.maryseacoleappeal.org.uk) has been established to redress this. Mary Seacole is once again in the public eye since being voted the greatest black Briton in an online poll in February 2004 (www.100greatblackbritons.com).

Mary Seacole’s contribution to the nursing care of British soldiers during the Crimean war is an inspiration to all, particularly to nurses and those fighting today for racial equality and justice.

The Trustees

  • Lord Clive Soley of Hammersmith – Chairman
  • Professor Elizabeth N Anionwu, CBE FRCN – Vice-Chairperson
  • Robbi Robson - Secretary
  • Michael Parker - Treasurer
  • Juliet Alexander
  • Celia Grandison-Markey
  • Maxine Hurley
  • Marsha John
  • Gina Osbourne
  • Lily Yeboah

The Patrons

  • The High Commissioner for Jamaica
  • President of the Royal College of Nursing
  • Mayor of London
  • Trevor Phillips, Chair, Equality and Human Rights Commission
  • Sir Willard White, Opera Singer

Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Artist Selection Panel

  • Lord Smith of Finsbury, former Secretary of State for Culture [1997-2001]
  • Dr Stephen Deuchar, Director, Tate Britain
  • Alexander Amosu, Business Entrepreneur
  • Lady Hollick, Chair: Arts Council England, London
  • Professor Elizabeth Anionwu, Vice-Chairperson, MSMSA
  • Stephen McGuire, Director of Capital, Estates and Facilities Management, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • Advisor: Philomena Davidson, Director, The Davidson Arts Partnership (DAP)

How you can help

Help publicise the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal by distributing our factsheet and Gift Aid form (PDF 348kb).

Raise money for the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal by searching the web with Everyclick. Join me: http://www.everyclick.com/elizabethanionwu

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