Guy's Hospital
MURAL:
In September 2024, the Young Historians Project unveiled our third commemorative mural at Guy's Hospital in London, outside its newly refurbished Nuffield Theatre Suite. The mural features six impactful female healthcare workers from a range of time periods. In order of appearance, these women are Dr Matilda Johanna Clerk, Dzagbele Matilda Asante, Metian Parsanka, Kofoworola Abeni "Ivy" Pratt, Blanche La Guma (née Herman), Dr Irene Elizabeth Beatrice Ighodaro (née Wellesley-Cole). YHP worked with heritage interpreter and Bristol–based artist Michele Curtis, who painted the mural. This mural was made possible through the support of Guy’s and St Thomas’ arts department and the Untold Stories grant by the Commission for Diversity in Public Realm. We would also like to extend our gratitude to YHP project coordinator Kaitlene for working alongside the hospital to facilitate the mural.
The mural's unveiling was reported by the BBC, The Voice, Nursing Times, and South London Press, amongst others. Marie-France Kittler, deputy arts manager at Guy’s and St Thomas’, shared that: “I am delighted to have delivered this public art commission for the Trust. Designed in consultation with our Multicultural Staff Network, Michele Curtis’ impressive mural represents an important step towards demonstrating our continued commitment to diversifying the Trust’s public realm. Our partnership with Young Historians Project has been instrumental in expanding the narrative of the Trust’s history and heritage.”
Blanche La Guma
Blanche La Guma (née Herman) was born in 1927 in Athlone, South Africa. She trained as a nurse and midwife in the 1950s. In 1954, Blanche married novelist Alex La Guma and they both fought against the Apartheid regime. After being exiled from South Africa in 1966, the couple moved to London. Blanche then completed another midwifery course and began conducting house calls in 1967. She joined a nursing association called the North London Group. Through NLG, she got work as an auxiliary nurse at the City of London Maternity Hospital in Islington. In 1970, she was promoted to Ward Sister, after the Matron became impressed by her work and instructed her to apply. Blanche maintained her rebellious spirit during her time as a nurse and sought to improve maternal care within her hospital.
