Walsall comes together to celebrate nursing hero Sister Dora
Residents and local leaders are honouring her legacy with a service and procession on her birthday
Today in Walsall, people are coming together to remember Sister Dora, the town’s 19th-century nursing hero.
Born Dorothy Wyndlow Pattison in 1832, she became a local legend for nursing thousands through epidemics and industrial accidents, earning a permanent place in the hearts of the community.
The celebration includes a service at St. Paul’s at the Crossing which begins at 11am. A procession to her statue at The Bridge is being led by Mayor of Walsall, where flowers will then be laid in her memory.
The event marks her birthday and celebrates her lifelong dedication to caring for the sick and injured.
Councillor Louise Harrison, Mayor of Walsall, said:
"Sister Dora remains a shining light in our town’s history."
"Her selfless dedication to the sick and injured earned her the title of our very own ‘Florence Nightingale,’ but to the people of this town, she was simply their hero.
"It is an honour to lead this year’s tributes and ensure that her spirit of care and community continues to inspire new generations of healthcare workers and residents."
David Frost CBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands and Emma Bennett, Chief Executive of Walsall Council will also be present.