Plaque honours dedicated hospital fundraising stalwart
Members of the public joined family, friends and dignitaries for the unveiling of a plaque in honour of a woman known as 'Cannock's Florence Nightingale'.
Ethel Powell dedicated her life to improving healthcare for the town and its residents and was instrumental in paving the way for the building of Cannock Chase Hospital in 1991.
She founded the Cannock & Stafford Hospitals League Of Friends with her husband John and proceeded to raise millions of pounds towards better facilities and improved care for patients.
She was made an MBE for her services to the community and died in 2018 at the age of 97.
Now, a plaque has been dedicated in her honour, along with one that champions the Soroptimists, the women's organisation that has been operating in Cannock & District since 1955. Both plaques feature QR codes for people to read about their history and achievements.
Also in attendance at Sunday's unveiling, at the town centre clock, were Josh Newbury MP, deputy Staffordshire Lieutenant Charles Hawley and councillors including Cannock Chase District chairman Steve Thornley.
Following an introductory speech by Trish Mellor, fellow Soroptimists Carole Holdcroft, Jill Mason, Cresta Garner and immediate past president of Midland Chase region Michelle Daws all addressed those present.
In her tribute, Cresta said: "Ethel Powell's vision and commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility led to the establishment of our hospital in Cannock.
"She worked to improve conditions for all patients from the days of the old Ivy House Cottage Hospital in Wolverhampton Road, where she provided a lift to enable access to all, to the construction of the new hospital, which opened in 1991.
"She devoted herself to getting the best equipment and services for Cannock Chase Hospital. Nothing was too much for her, but nothing but the best was good enough for the people of Cannock.
"She has been called an angel, Cannock's Florence Nightingale. formidable, unstoppable, a mover of mountains - she was all of these and more.
"In honouring Ethel Powell with a plaque in the town centre, Cannock Chase District Council and Soroptimists celebrate a true community hero whose legacy will be forever ingrained in the fabric of Cannock."
The blue memorials, known as Rosie's Plaques, began in Norwich, when a group of women, part of a theatre group The Common Lot, recognised that most blue plaques recognised the achievements of men.
Inspired by the story of Rosie The Riveter - the term given to women who worked in shipyards and factories during the Second World War - they made their first eight alternative plaques in 2019. It has now become a national movement.
Soroptimists said they wanted to bring Ethel's name and work to the attention of those visiting Cannock. It added the Cannock & District club had striven to enhance the lives of women and girls across the world and wished to honour all members, hence the plaque to mark its own 70th year.
For more about the Soroptimists, see Facebook or visit sigbi.org/cannock-and-district
