Who deserved to be called the 'Angel of Mercy'?

For Seacole

Showed the contribution of not only women but people of colour
Despite official rejection still made her way to Crimea
Formed Seacole and Day
Set up British Hotel -sold supplies/provisions
Helped wounded and dying
Went to the battlefield
Hard working
One of the first to enter Sebastopol after Russians evacuated
Returned home bankrupt - non profit making
Funds raised by ex soldiers, public and soldiers
Wrote 'Wonderful Adventures of Mary Seacole in Many Lands' - sold well

Faced problems of prejudice authority and rejections
Rejected by Nightingale
Faced Victorians attitudes




Nightingale on a £2 coin and old £10 note




For and against Nightingale

For
Worked at Scutari barracks hospital
In charge of 38 nurses
Helped clean up the hospital and reduce the death rate from disease
Energy and devotion
Seen by press and public as the 'angel of mercy'
Raised the profile of nursing to a new respected level - profession for women
Public contributions to Nightingale Fund allowed for the Nightingale Training School for nurses to be set up.
Published Notes for Nursing - popular and still in print today

Against
Rejected Seacole
Had all the advantages - allowance from family/support of Sidney Herbert Sec of War
Part of a team - not just her
Did not go to the Battlefield
Evidence that improved hygiene/sanitation started before she arrived
Evidence that improvements were work of others e.g. Sanitary Commission
Lady with the lamp myth - reputations vs reality
Disagreements and disputes with other nurses over harsh discipline and inability to compromise
Clashed over rival nursing groups e.g. Mary Stanley
Mary Stanley by summer 1855 had 47 nurses compared to Nightingales 39