A Woman Who Shaped History – Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale's name is synonymous with nursing.  Florence was born in Florence in Italy – hence her name, I guess.  She was raised in Derbyshire in the UK.  She trained as a nurse in Egypt and Germany.

Florence was asked by Britain to lead a nursing mission during the Crimean War (1854-60.  She led a team of 38 nurses.  She was responsible for raising the hygiene standards so that many fewer casualties died from infection.  It was at this time that she became known as 'The Lady with the Lamp'.

When Florence was 40 she founded a Nursing School and was responsible for raising the status of nursing to that of a profession.  International Nurses Day is celebrated each year on Florence's birthday.

There is a monument to her in Waterloo Place in London – part of the Crimean Memorial.  She lived to the grand old age of 90.