In 1881 Mrs Fenwick, at the age of 24, was appointed matron of St Bartholomew's Hospital, one of the largest and most famous voluntary hospitals in the country. A hundred years ago Mrs Fenwick and a group of daring women had a dream that nursing could become a force for social progress. Their vision has become a reality with nursing serving as a powerhouse for change in many countries. She would have been delighted by both her blue plaque and the fact that millions of nurses are united today by the organisation she founded. At the ICN conference, attended by 4,000 nurses, Linda Shillingford will receive a special award5 to travel to Uganda to work at a Leonard Cheshire International home for people with disabilities.
Photographers are welcome to attend the ceremony.
An archive photograph of Ethel Gordon Fenwick is also available from the RCN press office. Notes to editors 1 English Heritage blue plaques recognise eminent and famous individuals. She founded the National Council of Nurses of Great Britain in 1904 which in 1963 amalgamated with the Royal College of Nursing. The Royal College of Nursing represents UK nurses and is the world's largest professional union of nurses. The RCN is hosting the ICN Centennial Conference.