Ann Edwards

About the Book

An historical account of a life well lived beginning in 1939, on the small island of Antigua in the Caribbean. One with a humble beginning, in a country just starting to find itself, only 105 years after the abolition of slavery. Born to parents with a blended background, of African and Caucasian roots going back to Wales, who migrated to Antigua two centuries or so before. “Becoming Me” explores the life stories of a registered nurse under her pen, about her family and her community and how they shaped her becoming who she is. Written with language to reflect the cultural aspects of the people at that time across the decades. “Becoming Me,” takes you on a journey through the eyes of a small girl, through her coming age; first job; starting a career lasting a lifetime, retirement and life after. Marriage, children, community service, service to her God and dedication to her country. All of the ups and downs, the many twists and turns, accomplishments and disappointments during the 82 years of “Becoming Me.” Challenging the status quo at all stages of her life to achieve her goals, provide guidance to others and make others better themselves by her example, forthrightness and sincerity in all she did and set out to accomplish. “Becoming Me” is still being written, since the life it speaks about is still experiencing what life still has to offer.

About the Author

Ann Sophia Matilda Edwards nee Fane RN, CM, PHN, FNP was born on the 21st April, 1939, on the island of Antigua, in the village of Urlings. Her schooling involved the Urlings Pre-School, the Adventist Primary, the St. John’s Girl School and the Hill Secondary School. Starting life as a humble pupil teacher she prepared herself mentally and academically for entry into the noble profession of Nursing in 1959, at an early age as a student nurse at the then Holberton Hospital. As a hospital nurse she rose steadily up the ranks as she rotated through the various disciplines of the profession while buttressing her experience by successfully undertaking and gaining a number of academic qualifications on the way, some at UWI. Having risen almost to the top of hospital nursing, Mrs Edwards considered that there was a wider service to be given at the community level. Consequently, she moved out of hospital nursing and entered into Community Nursing which included the midwifery service and which provided a wider breadth by which to provide service to the population. Of course, here again she prepared herself academically by successfully undertaking the relevant academic training in Public Health to include enhancing her knowledge of epidemiology. Through continued hard and diligent work, she rose to the position of head of the Community Nursing Service. Notwithstanding, Mrs Edwards added yet another string to her professional bow, by being among one of the earliest successful candidates to attain the new sub-discipline in the nursing profession, that of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) which, among other things, qualified her to diagnose and to write prescriptions. This new entity, although having emerged in more developed countries, was new to the Caribbean and became a project in the Caribbean headed by the late UWI Professor, Sir Kenneth Standard. Despite her distinguished career as a nurse at the various levels and the exemplary results she achieved, Mrs Edwards was, and continues to be active in a number of community projects in the St Pauls Parish. The list of these is extensive but mention is made of but a few following. The St Pauls Crisis Intervention Group. This is a voluntary community group that has, and continues to raise funds to assist villagers faced with various health and other crises for which extra funds are needed. And many persons and groups continue to benefit from this excellent initiative. Mrs Edwards is also very active in her Church and is known to spearhead its very successful annual Parish fund raising which has greatly assisted the Parish Church in it outreach activities. She is a keen horticulturalist and has successfully entered and won the top prizes in the Government’s Homes and Garden Festivals over time; even winning the first prize island-wide for the best garden. After retirement, Mrs Edwards accepted the Chair of the Medical Benefits Scheme and held that position for several years. during which her stewardship led to the strengthening of that health and financial institution. Mrs Edwards has captured in a well written monograph the history of the Community Nursing Service in Antigua with the contributions of the various principal personnel in that Service.