BHM 2025 'Standing firm in power and pride' by Lisa Green
The theme for this year’s Black History Month is ‘Standing firm in power and pride’. Chair of the nursing and midwifery race equality network, Lisa Green, shares her journey and what this year’s theme means to her.
As we celebrate another Black History Month, it is always a time of personal reflection for me. My clinical journey started as a student nurse at the Princess Alexandra and Newham School of Nursing and Midwifery based in Whitechapel, East London. After qualifying and working as a nurse for a couple of years, a friend encouraged me to apply to become a midwife. I then worked in midwifery for over 30 years in both the NHS and in private sectors, and I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of compassionate care and advocacy.
Lisa"to advocate for nurses and midwives who may not be able to advocate for themselves"
In my midwifery journey, I have not only supported countless mothers and families but also championed diversity and inclusion within the profession, so it was a natural progression for me to become involved with the nursing and midwifery race equality network at the Trust. As chair of the network, I have seen how standing firm in our identity and pride can lead to meaningful change. It is a continuous task in our ever-changing society, and it is important that as a network we can support our nurses and midwives in the organisation.
This year’s theme resonates deeply with me because I believe it is important to stand firm for what I believe is right. This includes having the ability to advocate for nurses and midwives who may not be able to advocate for themselves, an important part of my role within the network.
When I first started my career, the nurses and midwives I had the pleasure of learning from were some of the most resilient people I had ever worked with. Most of them were from an African or Caribbean background, and each had their own individual story of resilience they wanted to share. The learning I received from them has carried me through some of the most difficult times in my career.
It was from these individuals that I understood the true meaning of what it is to stand firm in power and pride, and so today as we celebrate Black History Month 2025, I celebrate those individuals who made me who I am today, always remembering the lessons they thought me about resilience and standing firm for what I believe.
