Constance 'Connie' Winifred Mark, MBE, BEM (1923-2007) Jamai...

Estimate

£1,000 - £1,500

Constance 'Connie' Winifred Mark, MBE, BEM (1923-2007) Jamaican a rare and important British Empire medal group awarded to Connie Mark comprising the British Empire Medal, MBE (For God and the Empire), The Defence Medal and The War Medal 1939-1945. The BEM engraved CONSTANCE WINIFRED, MRS GOODRIDGE MARK. Note: Connie Mark (née McDonald, previously Goodridge) was a Jamaican-born community organiser and activist. She served as a medical secretary in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in World War II. After moving to England in the early 1950s, she became an activist for West Indians in London, after being denied her British Empire Medal (featured in this lot). She worked to gain recognition for Black service personnel who were overlooked for their services and co-founded the Mary Seacole Memorial Association to bring recognition to the accomplishments of the noted Jamaican nurse. In 2018 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote, Connie Mark was listed among eight Black women who have contributed to the development of Britain, alongside Kathleen Wrasama, Olive Morris, Fanny Eaton, Diane Abbott, Lilian Bader, Margaret Busby, and Mary Seacole. She was also named on a list of 14 "Inspirational black British women throughout history'. In 1992, Connie Mark finally received her British Empire Medal for her meritorious service during the war, and in 2001, she was honoured as a member of the Order of the British Empire.