Three lives, three kinds of courage

Toussaint Louverture (c.1743–1803) was born enslaved in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, on the Caribbean island now called Haiti. He became a skilled military and political leader during the Haitian Revolution. The revolution began in 1791 as an uprising against slavery and French colonial rule. Louverture helped lead the struggle, and in 1794 France abolished slavery in its colonies. He was captured by French forces and died in prison in 1803. Haiti became independent in 1804, after his death. Nanny of the Maroons (dates uncertain, often given as c.1686–c.1755) was a leader of the Windward Maroons in Jamaica. Maroons were communities formed by people who had escaped enslavement. Nanny is remembered for resisting British colonial forces and helping her community defend its freedom. Stories describe her as a courageous military leader, but details of her life are not all certain. She is honoured as a National Hero of Jamaica. Mary Seacole (1805–1881) was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She learned nursing skills from her mother and travelled widely. During the Crimean War (1853–1856), she travelled to the war zone after her offer to work with Florence Nightingale’s nursing team was not accepted. Seacole set up the British Hotel near the front, where she sold supplies and provided food and care to sick and injured soldiers. She was praised by many soldiers, though she faced prejudice and financial difficulties.

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