The first UK statue of a named Black woman was unveiled on 30 June 2016.
On 30 June 2016, a statue of Mary Seacole was unveiled in the gardens of St Thomas’ Hospital in London. Created by sculptor Martin Jennings, this statue was the first in the United Kingdom dedicated specifically to a named Black woman. Its unveiling represented not only a recognition of Seacole's extraordinary contributions but also marked a pivotal moment in acknowledging the contributions of Black women to British society. The statue serves as a daily reminder of her bravery and commitment to medical care during the Crimean War, offering a figure of inspiration to countless people. Positioned within a major London hospital, the statue profoundly underscores Seacole's lasting impact in the field of healthcare and her role in shaping modern understandings of nursing and medical history.