In Antigua, after the era of “Wattle and Darb” houses with no electricity, and before the sun showed its face over the hills in Urlings on Friday the 21st day of April 1939, the Country welcomed another of its daughters whose name is Ann Sophia Matilda Edwards, nee Fane, R.N. – Registered Nurse, R.N – “Certified Midwife,” C.M – “Public Health Nurse,” P.H.N. – Family Nurse Practitioner F.N.P. She is the daughter of Eliza Ambrose of Urlings, and Lancewell Fane of Booby Alley, St. John’s. Her early schooling was received at the Urlings Pre-School, the Adventist and the Girls Primary Schools in St. John’s, then the Hill’s Secondary School also in St. John’s. Starting life as a humble Pupil Teacher, she prepared herself mentally and academically for entry into the noble profession of Nursing, and became one of Florence Nightingale’s followers in 1964. As a Student Nurse at the then Holberton Hospital, 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 path in several educational institutions.
Mrs. Edwards has captured in a well written monograph, the History of the Antigua and Barbuda Nurses Association and recently published a Book entitled, “Becoming Me.” Added to other attributes to her family, Church Community, Nursing, and Country, the Government in 1997 bestowed on Mrs. Edwards the highest Award then, Grand Cross of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit, GCM and in 2022, she also received the distinguished title of Dame Commander of the Nation, DCN which entitles her to the designation of Dame Ann Matilda Sophia Edwards. Along with other Awards, the Caribbean Nurses Organization, recognized Mrs. Edwards contribution and in 2002 gave her its highest Award – “Mrs. Mavis Harney-Browne,” for Outstanding Contribution for the Advancement of Nursing practice. The Soroptimist International Antigua in 1999, referred to Mrs. Edwards as “The Dynamic Woman” for that year. Between the ages of 83 and 84 years of age, Mrs. Edwards has written and published two (2) Books. Now you know age is just a number. Dame Ann Edwards has proved that is a fact.