‘Florence: the lesser known life and legacy of Florence Nightingale’ was researched and written 2019-2020, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. The show explores Florence’s work as a pioneering statistician, social reformer and political influencer through original song and storytelling, connecting Florence’s work in the 19th century with the issues we continue to face today.
More often described as the ‘Lady with the Lamp’, Florence Nightingale spent less than two years working as a nurse during the Crimean War, yet she lived to the age of ninety. Florence spent decades campaigning for social reform, advocating equal access to healthcare for all and becoming an expert in areas such as hospital design, irrigation in India and postal services for soldiers, all in an effort to advance the cause of equal access to healthcare for all.
This interview was filmed by BBC South Today in March 2022 during my International Women’s Day tour.
I am grateful to Arts Council England who supported the creation of ‘Florence’.