Mary Seacole (1805 - 1881) is also known as Mother Seacole. She was a Jamaican born nurse. During the Crimean War she set up boarding houses in Panama and Crimea to help the sick. Her mother taught her to use herbal and folk medicine. When she petitioned the British government to let her go to the sick soldiers she was turned down. Mary Seacole spent her own money and made the journey by herself. Her autobiography is a vivid account of this amazing woman, who fought against racial prejudice in order to help the wounded soldiers. | Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands by Mary Seacole, Paperback | Indigo Chapters