Power and pride: Celebrating Black history
Humanitarian leadership across the Caribbean and Africa
This exhibition brings to light the inspiring work of Black humanitarians, both during their service with the overseas branches of the British Red Cross and in the years following independence. This is when many of these branches became National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies.
Spanning Africa and the Caribbean, these stories honour individuals and communities whose leadership, compassion and determination have shaped the humanitarian work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
From nursing and welfare to disaster relief and health education, Black staff and volunteers have served – and continue to serve – a vital role in building stronger, more resilient communities. Many of these stories have never been shared publicly. These individuals were not only participants – they were organisers, leaders and changemakers.
Overseas branches of the British Red Cross
Overseas branches of the British Red Cross were formed in countries which were part of the British Empire. These branches carried out peacetime work, with a greater emphasis on welfare services. Red Cross health education, mobile clinics, and mother and baby groups became vital services for communities.
Where natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, typhoons and earthquakes regularly occur, overseas branches played a vital role in providing relief and co-operating in disaster preparedness schemes. Once countries became independent, they formed recognised National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies.
Miss Zene Greenway (assistant supervisor) with a patient in a rehabilitation workshop of the Montserrat Red Cross, c. 1960s.
A volunteer supports a mother with her child at the mobile maternity and child welfare clinic, Accra, Gold Coast, c. 1950s.
Independence - leaders and changemakers
Here we celebrate the achievements of Red Cross leaders during the critical years of transition to independence. These individuals were leaders and changemakers. They steered their societies through political transformation, building national institutions rooted in local leadership and vision. Their work in health, welfare and community development helped lay the foundations for strong, independent Red Cross societies.
Rachel Palmer (1930s–2000) led the Gambian School of Nursing and Midwifery and the Red Cross, guiding it to international recognition. A fearless activist for independence and women’s rights, she played key roles in The Gambia’s path to suffrage and self-rule.
Persis Rodgers (1920–2013) was a nurse and Red Cross welfare officer. She championed elder care in the Bahamas, founding the nation’s first care home in 1973. She was honoured with an MBE in 1981 for her service.
Independence - innovation and resilience
In the years following independence, Black Red Cross humanitarians continued to shape the Movement through innovation, resilience and service. This section highlights those who built on the legacy of independence by addressing new challenges – from public health emergencies to disaster recovery – always rooted in local communities. Their leadership has strengthened National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and inspired the next generation of humanitarian workers, ensuring the values of compassion and solidarity remain central.
Wangari Muta Maathai (1940-2011) was an environmentalist and human rights advocate. She directed the Kenya Red Cross before founding the Green Belt Movement in 1977, empowering women to restore ecosystems and livelihoods. In 2004, she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Copyright: CC BY-SA 2.0
Dr Davidson Nicol (1924–1994) was president of the Sierra Leone Red Cross when it became an independent National Society. A scientist, diplomat and writer, his career spanned multiple fields. He made pioneering contributions to diabetes research through his discovery of how insulin is broken down in the human body.