A woman who made history by becoming the first black matron in the NHS is the first person to be commemorated with an official blue plaque outside London.
Daphne Steele, the first black matron in the NHS, is being honoured with the first blue plaque in the new national scheme which is delivered by Historic England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, together with representatives of Historic England and the son of Daphne Steele, celebrated the trailblazing NHS matron’s life by unveiling the plaque at the former St. Winifred’s maternity home in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.
Daphne arrived in Britain in 1951 from Guyana. Despite the challenges she faced, she helped to break down barriers and paved the way for nurses from a wide range of backgrounds to play a vital part in running the National Health Service. Her appointment as matron in 1964 attracted national attention and acted as a turning point in the history of the NHS.
Robbie Moore MP said:
"It was brilliant to welcome Lord Parkinson to our town to unveil the first blue plaque outside of London right here in Ilkley, commemorating the trailblazing NHS matron Daphne Steele. Daphne’s appointment as matron in 1964 is regarded as a turning point in the history of the NHS and it was fantastic to see her son Robert in attendance to celebrate her life and legacy.
I’d like to pay tribute to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen, including the brilliant Ilkley Civic Society for all that they do for our town."
