celebrating women in leprosy
We celebrate these women who've worked on the leprosy frontline and whose missions have changed the lives of numerous leprosy-affected people. Their tireless commitment, compassion and personal sacrifice mean that our goal to see a leprosy free world becomes closer. It all started with our founder, Kate Marsden. Please read on.
Katharine Jones, Director, SFLG.
Kate Marsden who founded SFLG in 1895. Click on the photo to read her story. New Copyright ALAMY
Alice Augusta Ball (24 July 1892–31 December 1916)
Dr Alice Augusta Ball New Copyright ALAMY
Alice Augusta Ball was an American chemist who developed the "Ball Method" for making ethyl ester derivatives of chaulmoogra oil, which were used as a treatment for leprosy during the early 20th century. She was the first woman and first African American to receive a master's degree from the University of Hawaii and was also the university's first female and African-American chemistry professor. She died tragically young, possibly from chlorine poisoning at the age of 24. Her contributions to science were not recognised until many years after her death. Read more about Alice's life Read about Alice in ChemHistory
The only Christian ever to receive a state funeral in Pakistan - Click on the photo read about the incredible Mother Teresa of Pakistan. New Copyright ALAMY
Our many thanks go to Sister Mary Bawani and her 20-year mission working in leprosy in Sri Lanka.
Read about Sister Lalitha's dedication to visiting people living with leprosy, in remote locations
Visiting patients and people with leprosy in remote locations, Sri Lanka
The Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Sri Lanka work with three leprosy centres: Hendala leprosy hospital, in Wattala, Western Province, Manthivu leprosy hospital, Batticaloa, off the east coast and Badulla leprosy centre, in Badulla. The Sisters visit leprosy patients who are resident at the hospitals, as outpatients and those who live far away in remote communities, often isolated and sometimes alone.
The Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Sri Lanka work with three leprosy centres: Hendala leprosy hospital, in Wattala, Western Province, Manthivu leprosy hospital, Batticaloa, off the east coast and Badulla leprosy centre, in Badulla. The Sisters visit leprosy patients who are resident at the hospitals, as outpatients and those who live far away in remote communities, often isolated and sometimes alone.
Sister Mercy
Our many thanks go to Sister Mercy and the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Hear of Mary, Dindigul
Caring for people with leprosy in the community
Dindigul is the largest district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The 200-bed St Joseph's Hospital in Dindigul was founded in 1957. The Poorna Sukha Leprosy and TB Project was founded at the hospital in 1972 and now cares for 150 people with leprosy. The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate heart have their time cut out raising awareness of leprosy within the local villages and caring for patients at St Joseph's
Dindigul is the largest district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The 200-bed St Joseph's Hospital in Dindigul was founded in 1957. The Poorna Sukha Leprosy and TB Project was founded at the hospital in 1972 and now cares for 150 people with leprosy. The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate heart have their time cut out raising awareness of leprosy within the local villages and caring for patients at St Joseph's
Thank you - Navid - for taking such great care of our elderly residents at St Francis Leprosy Hospital, Nyenga, Uganda
Caring for elderly residents at Nyenga, Uganda
St Francis Hospital, Nyenga was founded in 1932 as a leprosy treatment hospital. The residents who live at Nyenga caught leprosy as children. They need help and support throughout their whole lives. Navid is a nurse at Nyenga. When she was a child, her mother was affected by leprosy and she later felt inspired to work with people with leprosy. Nyenga has five live-in patients with leprosy and she treats them just like her elder family. More about work at Nyenga
St Francis Hospital, Nyenga was founded in 1932 as a leprosy treatment hospital. The residents who live at Nyenga caught leprosy as children. They need help and support throughout their whole lives. Navid is a nurse at Nyenga. When she was a child, her mother was affected by leprosy and she later felt inspired to work with people with leprosy. Nyenga has five live-in patients with leprosy and she treats them just like her elder family. More about work at Nyenga
Our grateful thanks to our surgeon and medical staff at the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre
Transforming surgery in Karachi, Pakistan
The Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre in Karachi, Pakistan, is providing urgent and ongoing medical care, as well as financial and emotional support to people affected by leprosy. Read more about our work at MALC
The Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre in Karachi, Pakistan, is providing urgent and ongoing medical care, as well as financial and emotional support to people affected by leprosy. Read more about our work at MALC
Nursing Staff at Ogoja Camp
Ogoja Camp, Ogoja, Nigeria
Our grateful thanks go to the staff at St Benedict's Tuberculosis and Leprosy Hospital who take care of the residents who live at Ogoja Camp.
Our grateful thanks go to the staff at St Benedict's Tuberculosis and Leprosy Hospital who take care of the residents who live at Ogoja Camp.
Jimma leprosy centre, Jimma Town, Ethiopia
Hundreds of families in the Gingo and Tulema leprosy communities once lived in the streets and at the local cemetery. They described themselves as “living above the dead, but below the living.” Now, thanks to the intervention of the Jimma Daughters of Charity, people with leprosy and their families are becoming proud citizens of Jimma. Read more in the press release
Hundreds of families in the Gingo and Tulema leprosy communities once lived in the streets and at the local cemetery. They described themselves as “living above the dead, but below the living.” Now, thanks to the intervention of the Jimma Daughters of Charity, people with leprosy and their families are becoming proud citizens of Jimma. Read more in the press release
Jimma, Ethiopia. New Copyright ALAMY
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Hopital Hansenian de Marana, Marana, Madagascar
Our grateful thanks go to Sister Sabine and all the Sisters who work at the Marana Leprosy centre. Please know that you are transforming lives every day. |
Sr Sabine Ramasinoro, Head of Marana leprosy centre, Madagascar, speaking at the Vatican Symposium on leprosy
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Our many thanks go to Dr Tony and her medical team who find and treat people with leprosy on a hospital boat, Labrea, Brazil.
Diagnosing and treating leprosy by boat, Labrea, Brazil
Medical facilities are scarce for people living in the rural River Purus area of the Amazon where Doctor Antonia Lopez Gonzalez (Dr Tony) operates. She and her team reach people that otherwise could not be found, by navigating along the river in a hospital boat. Thousands of people with leprosy are diagnosed each year.
Medical facilities are scarce for people living in the rural River Purus area of the Amazon where Doctor Antonia Lopez Gonzalez (Dr Tony) operates. She and her team reach people that otherwise could not be found, by navigating along the river in a hospital boat. Thousands of people with leprosy are diagnosed each year.
Former trustee, Dr Maggie Burgess
Dr Maggie Burgess RN PDTN (Distinction) MSc DSSc (Honoris Causa)
Maggie lectures on leprosy at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London. She holds a Diploma in Tropical nursing and based her MSc dissertation on her experience of living in a leprosy colony in Nepal. In 2008 she was awarded a DSSc from Brunel University. Maggie is less known for her work at the Khokana community where she transformed the lives of 350 residents.
Maggie lectures on leprosy at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London. She holds a Diploma in Tropical nursing and based her MSc dissertation on her experience of living in a leprosy colony in Nepal. In 2008 she was awarded a DSSc from Brunel University. Maggie is less known for her work at the Khokana community where she transformed the lives of 350 residents.
Gwen, centre, with her husband, John and Bishop Alan. Click on the link to read our tribute.
To all the wonderful women in leprosy: we salute you.
