Mary Seacole - A brief history

In her lifetime Mary Jane Grant Seacole became the most respected black woman in the British Empire. She was celebrated for the way in which she cared for the sick and wounded during the Crimean Wars. Born in Jamaica during slavery in 1805 of a Creole mother and a Scottish father she created her own role – centre stage – and in the heart of the battle.

In her lifetime Mary Jane Grant Seacole became the most respected black woman in the British Empire.

“Auntie Seacole” or “the Mother of the Regiment” as she was known, risked her life on the frontline at the Siege of Sebastapol, caring for the casualties of the British Army. She saved thousands of men from the dangers of cholera, dysentery and jaundice. The soldiers loved her because of her ample medical knowledge and skills, together with her caring bedside manner.

Granby Community Mental Health Group made her their patron in honour of those who continue to need her expertise and support. It was felt appropriate to name our centre after Mary Seacole and to acknowledge her rightful place in history.

Reading List

Poems From The Heart Of The House
Mary Seacole House Poetry Group
The Windows Project 2003

The Wonderful Adventures Of Mrs Seacole In Many Lands
Penguin 20 th Century Classics
Mary Seacole/Sarah Salih

Mary Seacole
Malom. J
Evans Brothers Ltd 1999

Mary Seacole
Caster H
Franklin Watts 1999

Mary Seacole – A Story From The Crimean War
Goodwins S
Hodder Wayland 2001

Mary Seacole
Moorcroft C & Magnusson M
4Learning Ltd 1998

Mary Seacole House Poetry Group

Our poetry group has been meeting for three years now. We trust and relate to one another.
As survivors of racism, oppression and mental illness we have pooled our thoughts together in this book, hoping to express ourselves and spread understanding; because young or old, rich or poor, anybody could be affected.
We have been fortunate enough to have had several poets from the Windows Project Writers Attachment Scheme work with us in the past year: To show our appreciation we have included work by each of them; Chanje Kunda, Eleanor Rees, Sabine Knapp, Trevor Gerard and Judy Mazonowicz.

Love Phiri.

The windows Project

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