Connie Mark plaque: May 2008

A commemorative blue plaque in honour of community activist Connie Mark MBE, was installed by the Nubian Jak Community Trust, in association with Care UK and the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, at Mary Seacole House, Hammersmith, London, where Connie used to be a resident. The plaque was unveiled on 30th June at 2pm as part of the borough’s Windrush Season.

Constance Winifred Mark, MBE, BEM (née McDonald, previously Goodridge; 21 December 1923 – 3 June 2007) 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. 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.

She was awarded an MBE on the Queen’s honor’s list in 2001 and remained active until her death on 3 June 2007. She was married twice and had two children from her first marriage.

The Mary Seacole House, 24 Invermead Place, Hammersmith, London W6 is owned by Care UK and managed by Hanover. In remembrance of some of the pioneering work Connie did, among those attending the unveiling will be Jamaican High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency The Honorable Burchall Whiteman MP, Baroness Ros Howells and Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, His Worship Andrew Johnson.

“As the UK’s leading provider of retirement housing, we are delighted that a blue plaque is being unveiled in Connie’s honour, this is a fitting way to pay tribute to the lives of so many Caribbean elders who reside in the UK, and their contribution to Britain’s rich cultural heritage.” Suzy Rigg, Hanover’s spokesperson, www.hanover.org.uk