06/11/2025
As we continue marking , we’re reflecting on the outstanding contributions of Black nurses and midwives whose leadership and care have shaped the professions we regulate.
Today we’re sharing the story of Professor Dame Elizabeth Nneka Anionwu DBE - a trailblazing nurse, educator and advocate whose work has transformed care for people with sickle cell disease in the UK.
Born in Birmingham in 1947 to an Irish mother and a Nigerian father, Dame Elizabeth spent part of her early childhood in care before discovering a passion for nursing as a teenager. She began her career in the 1960s as a school nurse assistant, later training and qualifying as a nurse and health visitor.
In 1979, she became the UK’s first sickle cell and thalassaemia nurse specialist, recognising the lack of awareness, dedicated support and culturally sensitive care for these conditions, which disproportionately affect people of African and Caribbean heritage. Her pioneering role improved services, awareness and advocacy for families and communities across the country.
Dame Elizabeth has dedicated her career to advancing equality in healthcare, from improving education on genetic conditions to championing inclusive practice within the profession. She later established the Mary Seacole Centre for Nursing Practice at the University of West London, creating a lasting link between Seacole’s legacy and modern nurse education.
Her impact has been widely recognised: she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2017 for services to nursing and her role in the Mary Seacole Statue Appeal, and was appointed to the Order of Merit (OM) in 2022 - one of the UK’s highest honours.
Dame Elizabeth Anionwu’s work is a powerful example of how nursing leadership can drive change. Her legacy continues to shape more equitable and compassionate care across the UK today.
