In Focus: Kofoworola Abeni Pratt

We are pleased to announce that the second exhibition of our In Focus series will open on Tuesday 7th January, In Focus: Kofoworola Abeni Pratt will give an in depth look at the life of this remarkable woman.

Kofoworola Abeni Pratt became the first black nurse to enter the Nightingale Training School, and only a couple of years later was one of a small group of black nurses who became part of the National Health Service, on its foundation in 1948.

In the face of racism and colonialism, Pratt returned to her home country of Nigeria following a short career in the UK, to go on and completely transform nursing in Nigeria. Rising from a Medical Ward Sister to Matron in ten years, meant she became the first Nigerian to become a matron in the country. Her rise continued as she served as the Chief Nursing Officer and served on a regional government as Commissioner for Health.

Despite being little known in the UK, we are shining a light on someone who’s legacy continues through to today. Given the title by her biographer, the African Florence Nightingale, Pratt legacy is being upheld by Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust today by naming a Fellowship after her.

In addition to Pratt’s life, we look at the Nightingale Training School as Pratt would have known it by delving into our Collection. We will be showing the type of uniform that Pratt would have worn during her time at the Training School and while we sadly do not know where her Nightingale badge or one of her awards are, we have others on display to show her fantastic achievements.