Dreams From My Mother by Dame Elizabeth Anionwu

Dreams From My Mother by Dame Elizabeth Anionwu

The inspirational life story of the trailblazing nurse born to an Irish mother and a Nigerian father during the 1940s, and raised by nuns at the Nazareth Children's Home in Birmingham.

This is a powerful and compelling story of dual heritage, how an Irish girl became a Nigerian woman, and how discovering a true and total sense of identity brought acceptance, peace and joyThis story will inspire many people who have Irish and African (and other) roots and should be read by all who are interested in the history and culture of those lands. It is a unique and deeply personal account of the triumph of character, spirit and endeavour in the face of much adversity and considerable bigotry, beautifully written with a complete absence of bitterness. I felt in equal measure humbled and privileged to read it. I never cry but the concluding reflection on the mother and daughter relationship made me cry unashamedly. * Patrick Gaul, Chair, Liverpool Irish Centre *
What a page turner of a book! Dame Elizabeth uncovers the layers of her life from a childhood defined by secrets, to discovering the identity of her father, to her political awakening, and her journey to becoming a Black health radical. She uses her "bellyful of anger" to great effect, highlighting the ethnic health inequalities exposed by sickle cell disease right through to Covid-19. More than anything, her great sense of empathy and fun shine out from the page. I loved it. * Dua Lipa *
Dreams From My Mother is a beautiful memoir detailing an extraordinary life. Dame Elizabeth Anionwu is a an incredible role model for nurses - and for everyone. * CHRISTIE WATSON, author of The Language of Kindness: A Nurse’s Story *
What a woman. What a book. * Lemn Sissay OBE, author of My Name Is Why *

Dame Elizabeth Anionwu is the woman who became Britain's first sickle cell nurse, was named as one of the 100 greatest Black Britons in 2020 and was the recipient of Dua Lipa's Brit award trophy earlier this year. But behind all of these incredible accomplishments is an even more jaw-dropping story. Her mother was studying at Cambridge University in 1947 when she unexpectedly discovered she was pregnant following an affair with a Nigerian student. Encouraged to place her child in a Catholic care home, Elizabeth grew up taught by nuns before joining her mother again at age 11, a move that led to more heartbreak but also the roots of a new independent life. However, this is not a misery memoir: it's about people's kindness, self-discovery, Black political awakening, race issues in the UK from the 60s to now, the NHS, a celebration of Black joy and love in many different forms - especially that of a mother. Plus, it's got some unexpected life twists that will leave your head reeling...

* STYLIST *
An inspiring tale of how [Dame Elizabeth Anionwu] forged her own identity in the face of adversity, then used her achievements and understanding to help others * SHEERLUXE *

Professor Dame Elizabeth Nneka Anionwu is an Emeritus Professor of Nursing at the University of West London. In 1979 she set up the first ever UK sickle cell/thalassaemia nurse counselling service, based in Brent. She then became a senior lecturer in Community Genetic Counselling at the University College London's Institute of Child Health. Prior to retirement in 2007, she was Dean of the School of Adult Nursing Studies & Professor of Nursing at University of West London (UWL) & also established the Mary Seacole Centre for Nursing Practice.

She was Vice-Chairperson of the successful Appeal for the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue that was unveiled in June 2016 & is now Life Patron of the Mary Seacole Trust. Elizabeth is also Patron of the Sickle Cell Society & the Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association UK & is Vice-President of Unite/Community Practitioners/Health Visitors Association (CPHVA). In 2018 Elizabeth was listed as one of the top 70 influential nurses and midwives between 1948 and 2018. In 2020 she was included in the top 100 Greatest Black Britons & as one of the 50 most influential BAME people in health. Elizabeth appeared in May 2020 as a guest on the BBC Desert Island Discs radio programme. In November 2020 she was included in the BBC 100 Women 2020 list.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781841885223
ISBN 10	1841885223
Title	Dreams From My Mother
Author	Dame Elizabeth Anionwu
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Orion Publishing Co
Year published	2021-09-16
Number of pages	352
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.