Honoring the Life and Work of Mary Seacole

Mary Jane Seacole was born on November 23, 1805, in Jamaica, during the slave trade in the Caribbean. Mary was born a "free person" even though her mother was black. Her father, James Grant, was a white Scottish army commander. Mary grew up watching her mother caring for wounded soldiers and their wives in a boarding house called Blundell Hall. In Jamaica in 1853, Mary saved her first cholera patient and gained a deeper understanding of the pathology of this disease, which she herself contracted and recovered from. That same year, there was also a yellow fever epidemic in Jamaica. The medical authorities came to Mary to help provide nursing care for those in need.^1,2 

Contribution to Nursing

When Mary traveled to London to assist during the Crimean war, she made applications to the War Office, the army medical department, and the secretary of war to be allowed to go to the Crimea and tend to the sick and wounded.  All her requests were denied, despite her extensive experience and excellent references. Although Mary pointed out that she had already treated and knew many of the soldiers and regiments (having already nursed them while they were previously stationed in Jamaica), her application to be an official nurse to assist in the war was still denied, most likely due to prejudice and racism. Fortunately, Mary’s desire to help and serve others could not be stopped by discrimination.  She set up a one-stop hotel where food, supplies, and holistic remedies were offered. Many even sought preventive care from her here. Despite being denied by the army medical department, Mary still went to the battle zone as a sutler – a person who follows the army and sells provisions to the troops. With her large stock of medicines, Mary spent her time successfully treating and serving others on the battlefield.^1,2

Connection to Perioperative Nursing

In the boarding house Mary and her mother established in Kingston, Mary gained a lot of knowledge from her mother and the physicians who stayed there. At Blundell Hall, she learned how to use hygiene, ventilation, warmth, hydration, rest, empathy, and healthy nutrition, in addition to traditional herbal remedies. Considering how important principles of hygiene are to perioperative patients, Mary’s practice serves as a foundation for today’s guidelines that are used to keep patients safe in the operating room.^1,2

Another important way that Mary positively influenced perioperative nursing was her strong commitment to patient advocacy. "To be an advocate, you must also have the courage to speak up—even when it is difficult.”³ Despite being told "no" over and over, Mary could not be stopped from advocating for her patients in their time of need. This courage is something we can all look up to as we face challenges in our daily practice. Mary Seacole is truly a role model for patient advocacy whom we can channel in our times of need. 

Honoring Mary Seacole

Unfortunately, Mary was lost to British history for around 100 years - possibly because some argued that she was not truly a formally trained nurse. However, there has been a rebirth of interest in her and efforts to recognize her accomplishments in recent years. In 2004, Mary was voted the Greatest Black Briton. In 2016, a statue was unveiled in the grounds of St Thomas’ Hospital on London’s Southbank.^1,2

References

1. Mary Seacole - a nurse to inspire. Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust Headquarters. Accessed June 16, 2023. 
2. McDonald L. Wonderful adventures: how did Mary Seacole come to be viewed as a pioneer of modern nursing? Times Lit Suppl. 1969;5775:14-15.
3. Ervine HS. Advocacy: a blueprint for excellence. AORN J. 2021;113: 323-325.

AORN Resources

AORN members can access:

• The Multigenerational Perioperative Nursing Workforce: A Celebration for Labor Day - AORN Journal
• Honoring an AORN Pioneer During Black History Month - AORN Journal
• Images of Nurses: Perspectives from History, Art, and Literature - AORN Journal
• History Corner: Perioperative Nursing in the Early 1900s - AORN Journal