Celebrating Daphne Steele: The NHS’s First Black Matron and A Lasting Legacy in Healthcare

As we mark Black History Month 2024, at Kare Plus we wanted to highlight and honor the remarkable contributions of an amazing woman who shaped the course of healthcare history.

Daphne Steele was a trailblazer, as the first Black matron in the NHS.

The nursing workforce today is made up of staff from all over the world, with its diversity recognised one of its key strengths.

But this wasn’t always the case.

Daphne’s groundbreaking achievements are not only a significant chapter in the history of healthcare but for Black history worldwide.

Early Life and Journey to the UK

Daphne Steele was born Guyana, the eldest of nine children.

With an inherent passion for helping others, she embarked on a nursing career at a time when the world of medicine was yet to embrace diversity and brought her talents to the UK in 1951.

When Daphne arrived in the UK, she encountered both opportunity and adversity.

The NHS had recently been established in 1948, providing new roles for medical professionals but the country was still deeply divided by racial prejudice.

Despite these challenges, Daphne’s determination and skill saw her rise through the ranks.

After further training in the UK, she qualified as a registered nurse and then as a midwife in 1954.

After moving to the United States, where she worked in a New Jersey hospital, Daphne moved back to the UK in 1960 and later took up a position as deputy matron in a Manchester nursing home.

In 1964, at the age of 36 she made history by becoming the NHS’s first Black matron, appointed at St Winifred’s hospital in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

Her appointment made worldwide news and she received hundreds of letters wishing her well in her role.

Breaking Barriers in Healthcare

Daphne Steele’s journey to the position of matron was not without obstacles.

The post of matron in the 1960s was a prestigious role, typically reserved for the most experienced and senior nurses.

It was also a time when Black nurses were often relegated to lower-tier positions, despite their qualifications and experience.

Daphne’s promotion represented a significant shift in the landscape of healthcare, not just for the NHS but for the world.

Her ascent broke the glass ceiling for Black women in healthcare, proving that talent, hard work, and commitment could overcome the entrenched barriers of race and gender.

Her achievement is often cited as one of the most significant moments in Black history and healthcare.

When St Winifred’s closed in 1971, Daphne worked in a children’s hospital, later training to become a health visitor – a role she worked in until her retirement in 1987.

A Legacy of Compassion and Leadership

As a matron, Daphne exemplified excellence in nursing leadership.

She was known for her compassionate care, organizational skill and ability to lead teams in high-pressure environments.

More than just a manager, Daphne was an advocate for patient-centered care, ensuring that the dignity and well-being of every patient were prioritized.

She delivered more than 200 babies during her career.

Her leadership style was not just about maintaining discipline and order in the hospital.

It was also about fostering inclusivity, ensuring that staff of all backgrounds felt valued and empowered.

Her advocacy for equality within the healthcare system laid the groundwork for the diversity in today’s NHS.

In 2001, the Guyanese High Commissioner to the United Kingdom gave Daphne an award in honour and recognition of her medical achievements.

A year later, she carried the Shipley relay baton for Queen Elilzabeth II’s Golden Jublibee as part of the lead up to the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Daphne Steele died in 2004 at the age of 77.

In honor of her enduring legacy, the Association of Guyanese Nurses and Allied Professionals (AGNAP) named their health talk in 2013 the Daphne Steele Memorial Lecture.

This annual event continues to commemorate her contributions to healthcare and education.

To celebrate what would have been her 91st birthday on October 16, 2018, a commemorative blue plaque was unveiled at St. James’s Hospital in Balham, where Daphne trained upon her arrival in the UK.

This initiative was organized by the Nubian Jak Community Trust, a group dedicated to honoring the contributions of Black and ethnic minority historical figures.

Each year, St. George’s Hospital in Balham marks Daphne Steele Day on October 16, celebrating her achievements and impact in the field of nursing on her birthday.

In 2022, the University of Huddersfield announced that its upcoming Health & Wellbeing Academy would be named in her honor.

Set to open in September 2024, the new facility will train future professionals in health-related careers, continuing Daphne’s legacy of fostering growth in healthcare.

In February 2024, Daphne became the first person to be recognized with an Historic England blue plaque outside of London.

This plaque was installed at Hillside Court in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, on the site of the former St. Winifred’s maternity home, a testament to her lasting influence across the country.

Challenges Faced as a Black Nurse

Despite her monumental achievements, Daphne Steele faced many challenges due to her race.

In her early days in the UK, she dealt with racism, which permeated not only the healthcare system but society at large.

Discrimination from both colleagues and patients was a reality for her and many other nurses of color during that time.

However, Daphne remained undeterred and became a ‘quiet revolutionary’, fighting against the prejudices of the time by proving her worth through hard work, professionalism and a steadfast commitment to patient care.

Her perseverance opened doors for generations of Black and ethnic minority healthcare workers who followed in her footsteps.

A Legacy That Continues to Inspire

Daphne’s story is one of a woman who changed the status quo and inspired future generations.

Today, her legacy is more important than ever, as the NHS and healthcare systems worldwide continue to strive to reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

Her pioneering role in the NHS offers lessons in perseverance, leadership and breaking racial barriers in professions where such advancements were hard-fought.

Celebrating Steele During Black History Month 2024

In Black History Month, we reflect on and honor figures like Daphne Steele, whose contributions resonate beyond their time.

Her role in healthcare is a powerful reminder that many Black history figures have been instrumental in shaping all areas of society, including healthcare.

As we remember Daphne and her contributions, we can also take time to reflect on how far we have come in terms of diversity in healthcare, while acknowledging the work that still needs to be done.

Her legacy encourages ongoing conversations about representation, equality and breaking down barriers for marginalized groups in every sector.

Lessons from Daphne Steele’s Legacy:

• Perseverance in the face of adversity: Daphne’s rise to matron at a time of such racial prejudice shows the power of resilience.
• Breaking barriers for Black women in healthcare: Her success created pathways for future generations of Black and ethnic minority nurses and healthcare professionals.
• Leadership with compassion: Daphne’s ability to lead with empathy and a patient-centered approach is a model for modern healthcare professionals.
• Challenging racial prejudice: Daphne’s determination and hard work allowed her to rise to a position that became an advocate for greater equality and representation within the NHS.

Her life and work are a shining example of the power of individual influence in the collective fight for racial equality.

Her career as the NHS’s first Black matron paved the way for future generations of Black healthcare workers to aspire to leadership roles.

As we celebrate Black History Month 2024, let us remember the those like Daphne Steele, whose contributions have left indelible marks on healthcare and beyond.

By honoring her legacy, we continue to champion the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion that she so fervently fought for throughout her career.