SHE was a pioneering woman doctor who performed heroic deeds in World War One and now finally her home city of Edinburgh is set to gain a statue of Elsie Inglis.
The capital infamously has more statues of animals than women, but a determined campaign over the next year hopes to raise sufficient funds to erect a statue of Dr Inglis who died in 1917.after leading the Scottish Women’s Hospitals for Foreign Service in Serbia
She was remembered in the name of the Elsie Inglis Memorial Maternity Hospital, but that facility closed in 1988 and despite assurances to the contrary, the name of Elsie Inglis has not been conferred on any other NHS institution.
The City of Edinburgh Council has voted to support the campaign which has the backing of Lord Provost Frank Ross and which will see girl guides in the capital hold a sponsored ’Sit Still” in the Meadows while a series of afternoon teas will be held in the City Chambers and the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh.
Susan Brown from Girlguiding Edinburgh said: “Girlguiding Edinburgh are delighted to be involved in this project to recognise such a dedicated, determined and inspirational lady. Her characteristics and actions make her an excellent role model for the young members in Girlguiding today. In Girlguiding we empower girls to learn about the world, form their own viewpoints and speak out for the change they want to see in their communities.
“Just as Elsie did when she didn’t ‘Go Home and Sit Still’ after her offer to the British War Office to create a medical unit staffed entirely by women, was rejected,” she added.
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