An inspiring story of an early pioneer in STEM...

Today marks the 100 year centennary of the death of Elsie Inglis, with a commemoration plaque honoring her unveiled in Edinburgh. Elsie worked as a doctor for the poor, especially women and children, at a time when women surgeons were still a rarity.  Appaled at the way women were treated, especially during childbirth, she established a dedicated maternity hospital women, which was fully staffed by women.

At fifty, when war broke out, she volunteered to help at the front lines, but was told to "go home and sit still", as reported in this BBC news article.  Instead, Elsie set about raising funds to establish hospitals in France and elsewhere, before working in one of those hospitals herself. Despite being taken a prisoner of war, she continued this work, after being released.  Between periods working on the front line, Elsie was diagnosed with cancer.  Even this did not deter her from completing her work, and she remained in Serbia to ensure the safe passage of  injured soldiers. 

The Edinburgh News summarises her life story by saying:

"She defied instruction from the War Office to return home from the frontline, was lauded by Churchill as a heroine who 'will shine in history' and was a staunch advocate of women's rights."

Now, 100 years after her death, she is finally receiving more widespread acknolwedgement of her commitment to medicine, her sacrifice and her dedication to her calling.  Hopefully her name may become as well known as that of Marie Curie, providing inspiration for a new generation of female scientists and doctors.

She defied instruction from the War Office to return from the frontline, was lauded by Churchill as a heroine who “will shine in history”, was a staunch advocate of women’s rights

Read more at: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/why-dr-elsie-inglis-deserves-to-be-honoured-in-edinburgh-1-4416690

She defied instruction from the War Office to return from the frontline, was lauded by Churchill as a heroine who “will shine in history”, was a staunch advocate of women’s rights

Read more at: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/why-dr-elsie-inglis-deserves-to-be-honoured-in-edinburgh-1-4416690

0 Have your say She defied instruction from the War Office to return from the frontline, was lauded by Churchill as a heroine who “will shine in history”, was a staunch advocate of women’s rights – and now the life of Elsie Inglis surely deserves to be honoured in her adopted home city.

Read more at: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/why-dr-elsie-inglis-deserves-to-be-honoured-in-edinburgh-1-4416690

0 Have your say She defied instruction from the War Office to return from the frontline, was lauded by Churchill as a heroine who “will shine in history”, was a staunch advocate of women’s rights – and now the life of Elsie Inglis surely deserves to be honoured in her adopted home city.

Read more at: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/why-dr-elsie-inglis-deserves-to-be-honoured-in-edinburgh-1-4416690