Ore Green, born in Lagos in 1885, was a pioneering Nigerian woman who achieved a remarkable feat in 1916 by becoming West Africa's first female pharmacist. She excelled academically, speaking English, French, and Latin, and was fluent in multiple languages. Green's early life was marked by her intelligence and love for the arts, as evident in her role as Portia in a Lagos production of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice in 1911.
Green's educational journey began at the CMS Girls Seminary and St. Mary's Convent School in Lagos, where she received private lessons under Reverend W.B. Euba. She later traveled to London in 1912 to continue her education, earning a First Class Certificate in the Theory of Music from the London College of Music. She also qualified in midwifery and obtained an Honours Certificate from the Clapham School of Midwifery and Clapham Maternity Hospital.
In 1916, Green successfully passed the qualifying examinations of the Pharmaceutical Society of London and obtained the Apothecaries' Certificate as a Licensed Druggist from Westminster College of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Botany. This achievement made her the first West African woman to obtain a practical pharmaceutical qualification, effectively making her West Africa's first female pharmacist.
After qualifying, Green worked as a dispenser at the Soho Eye and Ear Hospital in London. She returned to Lagos in 1917, where she joined the hospital of Dr. Richard Akinwande Savage as a midwife. The Savage family would later become one of the most influential medical families in West African history, with Dr. Savage's daughter, Dr. Agnes Yewande Savage, becoming West Africa's first female doctor to train and qualify in orthodox medicine.
Green established her own practice in Lagos, working as both a nurse and pharmacist at 71 Campbell Street. She built a reputation as an accomplished professional, a cultured intellectual, and one of the pioneering Nigerian women who proved that African women could excel in professions dominated by men. Many people knew her as Nurse Green, and her achievements remain an important part of Nigeria's medical history.
Green's legacy continues to inspire young women pursuing careers in healthcare. Her achievements paved the way for generations of Nigerian and African women to pursue careers in pharmacy and healthcare. Today, many Nigerian women are breaking barriers in medicine, pharmacy, and science, building on the foundation laid by Green and other trailblazers.
Ore Green's remarkable story serves as a testament to her determination and perseverance. Despite facing numerous challenges, she remained committed to her goals and achieved greatness. Her story is an inspiration to many, and her contributions to Nigeria's medical history will not be forgotten.
Key points
- Ore Green became West Africa's first female pharmacist in 1916, breaking barriers for women in medicine.
- Green's achievements paved the way for generations of Nigerian and African women to pursue careers in pharmacy and healthcare.
- Green's legacy continues to inspire young women pursuing careers in healthcare.
