The Mary Seacole Memorial will:

  • capture the spirit of Mary and reflect her great achievements
  • remind the public of the importance of the nursing profession
  • remind the public of Britain's greatest black heroine who gave her life's work in support of others

In 2008 an artist selection panel, chaired by Baroness Amos and featuring some of the country's leading cultural experts, undertook the task to select an artist to design and produce the memorial. Following an international call for artists, a wealth of work was submitted and reviewed, and a final shortlist of eight artists was agreed. Shortlisted artists exhibited their proposals at Coutts in the Strand in April 2009 and later at the Guards Museum in Birdcage Walk, London. After much debate the chosen artist, Martin Jennings, was announced in June 2009.

To realise this wonderful opportunity, to celebrate our past and inspire future generations, we need your help. We need to raise £500,000.

With already £100,000 received in donations we now need to secure the remaining £400,000 to create the memorial. The charitable arm of Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd has committed its support for construction. The Guys and St.Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have donated the site for the memorial, which is within the grounds of St Thomas' Hospital. We already have the support of many, including the Jamaican High Commission, The Mayor of London, The Royal College of Nursing, UNISON and a number of army units.

With your support we will erect a memorial that will bring the achievements of this remarkable woman to life.


Cleo Sylvestre as Mary Seacole. Photo Chris King

Cleo Sylvestre as Mary Seacole Photo Chris King



Mary Seacole sketch

Mary Seacole sketch

"The Mary Seacole story is a great inspiration to all mankind. A Jamaican woman who travelled the world doing good, healing the sick, tending the wounded, introducing new therapies and medicines. Above all, she overcame prejudices against her gender and her race. We are therefore pleased that the present generation has honoured her and are giving her in death, the tribute and gratitude she deserved in life. "

H. E. Anthony S. Johnson, High Commissioner for Jamaica

"Mary Seacole's inspiration to us lies in her courage to be true to an inner conviction, despite the glaring force of uncomfortable opposition. By remembering and honouring her, we acknowledge that what we believe in can become reality."

Sir Willard White, Opera Singer

"Mary Seacole's exploits, trials and accolades deserve to be remembered and commemorated by new generations. The host community owes her a great debt, as was fulsomely recorded at the time and this must not be forgotten. Young black people, now more than ever, need to know about the outstanding black characters and their important contributions in recent history. Her memory and that of the countless nurses, doctors and health workers who heeded the call, deserve recognition and praise. Her story should not be forgotten. It should stand as a reminder to everyone of the unstinting and valuable contribution that countless unheralded West Indians made and continue to make to the enrichment of life in the United Kingdom."

Juliet Alexander, Broadcaster

"She represents for me the ideal of nursing: the empathy needed to care for a patient or their family and the knowledge to manage their pain and meet their needs. She had great expertise, an insatiable desire to learn and by all accounts a wonderful, warm, sense of humour. I think that we have a duty to remember her deeds. When people hear about her story there is amazement, a willingness to do something about celebrating her great achievements and remarkable strength. Nursing care, of the type that Mary Seacole gave - informed, skilled and generous - should be celebrated."

Professor Elizabeth Anionwu, Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing

Patrons

  • President of UNISON
  • The High Commissioner for Jamaica
  • President of the Royal College of Nursing
  • Mayor of London
  • Chair: Equality and Human Rights Commission

Trustees

  • Lord Soley of Hammersmith - Chair
  • Professor Elizabeth N Anionwu CBE FRCN - Vice Chair
  • Robbi Robson
  • Roxanne St Clair
  • Juliet Alexander
  • Celia Grandison-Markey
  • Maxine Hurley
  • Marsha John
  • Gina Osbourne
  • Baroness Flather JP DL FRSA
  • Bernell Bussue
  • Dawn Hill

Artist Selection Panel

  • Baroness Amos - Chair
  • 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 N Anionwu CBE FRCN
  • Stephen McGuire, Director of Capital, Estates and Facilities Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • Andrew Barnett, Architectural Advisor, Hopkins Architects
  • Philomena Davidson, The Davidson Arts Partnership

Ambassadors

  • Gail Adams, Head of Nursing, UNISON
  • Malorie Blackman, award winning children’s author
  • Drs Corry and Jeroen Staring-Derks, Mary Seacole researchers
  • Tim Campbell, Entrepreneur and winner of BBC2 'The Apprentice'
  • Cleo Sylvestre, Actress
  • Sir Willard White, Opera Singer
  • Maggie Semple, OBE, CEO The Experience Corps
  • Professor Geoff Palmer, OBE Emeritus Professor of Grain Science
  • Mr & Mrs Noel Seacole, Descendant of Seacole family
  • Mr Rudi Lickwood, Comedian
  • Mr Courtney Pine, CBE, Jazz musician
  • Alexander Amosu, Business Entrepeneur
  • Adriana Paice, Artist and Curator
  • Dr Geoffrey Day, Fellows' & Eccles Librarian, Winchester College
  • Joan Myers, Child Nurse Consultant
  • Jackie Weatherill. Mary Seacole film producer
  • Rodney Hinds, Sports and features editor, The Voice newspaper