Meet Ore Green: The first female pharmacist in West Africa

Miss Ore Green was born in Lagos in 1885 to a superintendent of the Lagos Detective Force, Mr Francis Colley Green.

It is no doubt females have little space in world records, however, those that occupy this little space are tremendous in it.

She attended CMS Girl Seminary, St Mary’s Covenant School in Lagos where she excelled in Latin, Greek, and Mathematics. This, however, under the private tutoring of Reverend W.B Euba.

Her Education:

Miss Oreoluwa was a great actress who played the role of Portia in Shakespeare”s “Merchants of Venice” in Lagos, June July 1911. She interpreted her roles as an actress excellently. She was fluent in three languages, English, Latin and French.

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However, in the early hours of 1912, she travelled to London for further education. She obtained a certificate in the Theory of Music at the London School of Music.

Miss Oreloluwa became the first African woman to obtain a qualification from the Apothecaries Pharmaceutical Society In London in 1916. She obtained the certificate to practice pharmacy.

Work-Life:

Miss Oreoluwa worked as a dispenser at the Soho Eye and Ear Hospital in London. She returned to Lagos in 1917 and worked as a Midwife at the hospital of Richard Akinwande Savage.

However, much is not known about Miss Ore Green marriage life as researchers are still doubting if she has children.

Moreso, in the effort to contribute to the development of her society, she built her own hospital at Campell Street Marina Lagos. Therein she practised as a nurse and pharmacist.

Miss Oreolowu was a great and cultured woman. A woman whose talent in what she does is still remembered for today.

SOURCE: The History Ville