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Florence Nightingale ‘Inspiring Women’ series Barbie

Display No. 113

In 2020, in celebration of Nightingale’s bicentenary, Mattel partnered with the Florence Nightingale Museum to launch a Florence Nightingale Barbie as part of Mattel’s ‘Inspiring Women’ series. This figure is based in part on photographs taken of Nightingale by William Edward Kilburn shortly after she returned from the Crimean War. The grey dress is based one she owned whilst working at the Establishment for Gentlewomen During Illness in Harley Street.

© Mattel Inc.

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Nightingale is respected worldwide for her pioneering role in developing the nursing profession, her statistical work, and her evidence-based approach to healthcare. In honour of her bicentenary the World Health Organisation have named 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.

In our special exhibition, you will find out about objects, people and places which tell interesting stories about Florence’s life and legacy. You’ll discover artefacts from her life, people she both inspired and challenged, and places she helped to shape. There’s many more insights too!

Please click on the different sections of her famous coxcomb diagram to explore various aspects of her life and legacy. We hope you enjoy exploring!