A Woman of Firsts

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A Woman of Firsts: Episode 2

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - A Woman of Firsts, Episode 2

Edna Ismail’s memoir of nursing training in London, a long way from her Somaliland home.

Edna Ismail recalls her nursing training in London and the mixed reactions from the people she meets. Seven years later she returns to a newly independent Somali Republic.

The memoir of Edna Adan Ismail, a remarkable daughter, midwife and First Lady.

As the eldest child of an overworked doctor in 1950s Somaliland, Edna saw first-hand how poor healthcare, lack of education and ancient superstitions had devastating effects on the country’s people, especially women. When she suffered the trauma of FGM as an eight-year-old girl, Edna’s determination was born. 

She became a nurse and midwife, a formidable teacher and a campaigner for women’s health. As her country was swept up in its bloody fight for independence, Edna also rose to become its First Lady and first female cabinet minister.  But mixing with Presidents and Princes, she never forgot her roots and continued to train midwives – a role she has to this day.

In time, she built her own hospital, brick by brick, in the face of many obstacles - to ensure the training of future generations.  The indomitable 82-year-old Edna still delivers babies. After all - as she puts it - she is 'simply a midwife'.  

In this episode, Edna travels to London to complete her nursing training. The training is demanding but her father assures her that midwifery will make a huge difference to women’s health when she returns home.  


Read by Cathy Tyson
Abridged by Anna Magnusson
Produced by Pippa Vaughan
A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

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By Edna Adan Ismail. The midwife who built a hospital and changed the world.

Book of the Week. A Woman of Firsts: The midwife who built a hospital and changed the world. By Edna Adan Ismail

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