Pictured above is Dorcas (right) with her family representing the Breathe Easy Foundation which she set up in memory if her late daughter Lara.

By Dorcas Olanike Akeju, OBE

My name is Dorcas Olanike Akeju, OBE. I am a public advisor at ARC NWC, a retired midwife, and I continue to volunteer with several charities and organisations across the region.
I was born in the early 1940s during the Second World War. Growing up with two sisters, 11 step-sisters, and a step-brother was not easy, but our parents did their best to provide for us. I attended a free primary school and was fortunate to receive the Oba Adesoji Aderemi Scholarship, which allowed me to attend secondary school, an opportunity not many girls had at the time, as society expected them to marry and raise children.

My father was a policeman and very strict, but he loved us in his own way. We were fed, clothed, and brought up to know the Lord and respect our elders. My early influences included my primary school principal, who believed in me and encouraged me to apply for the scholarship, and an uncle who always supported my aspirations.

Growing up, we faced financial challenges. Simple necessities for school, such as mattresses or provisions for boarding, were sometimes difficult to afford. Despite these hardships, my parents instilled discipline and resilience in us, which shaped my future.

Personal, Cultural, and Professional Growth
In 1973, I was delighted to win the Bronze Medal as one of the best nurses after completing my nurse training. This achievement encouraged me to pursue midwifery training at the University Teaching Hospital in Benin City.

I considered training abroad as a midwifery teacher but realised I needed additional qualifications first. I spent over 30 years as a midwife in Liverpool, serving as a team leader, supervising 22 midwives, and ensuring high standards of practice were upheld. I later became Lead for Female Genital Mutilation and Lead for Equality and Diversity.

Achieving these milestones was challenging. Despite completing management courses and earning a BA Honours in Clinical Management at age 50, I was never promoted to manager, reflecting the systemic barriers Black professionals faced at the time.

Alongside my husband, I co-founded a charity initially for West African elders, later renamed African Elders to be more inclusive. We organised weekly meetings with health talks and African cultural food.
I served as a school governor for seven years, a shadow governor for the Royal Hospital for eight years, and currently serve as a governor for the Liverpool University Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I am also a trustee for LCVS and an Equality Adviser for the Liverpool City Council’s Social Care and Health Scrutiny Panel.

After retiring, I pursued a Master’s degree in Advanced Practice at Manchester Metropolitan University, a proud moment for me.
Awards and Recognition
• Merseyside Women of the Year, 2003 (Making a Difference)
• Order of the British Empire (OBE), 2003, for services to the NHS and communities
• Lifetime Achievement, Royal College of Midwives, 2008
• Lifetime Achievement, Black Woman of the Year, Black History Month Liverpool, 2009
• Co-founder, Breathe Easy Foundation, in memory of our daughter, 2009
• Omoluwabi Award, Yoruba Descendants of Midlands, 2019
• #WhoIsShe Award, Soroptimist International, 2021

Serving on the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel and as a hospital governor has allowed me to influence public health strategies, patient care, and workforce standards. These roles have been deeply rewarding and helped me reduce health inequalities across the North West Coast and beyond.

Influences
My primary school headmistress inspired me to pursue education and believed I could achieve great things. Without her encouragement and the scholarship, my path might have been very different.
Later, two Directors of Midwives recognised my potential and encouraged me to pursue management courses, further shaping my career.

Why Black History Matters
Black History Month, for me, is about celebrating the African diaspora, our roots, culture, traditions, and the contributions and achievements of Black communities worldwide. It is a time to recognise the resilience and brilliance that shape our society.

Advice for the Next Generation
To young people: your skin colour should never limit your ambitions. Believe in yourself. Seek mentors and role models within your community, work hard, and do not let discrimination or racism deter your path.

Plan your life with guidance from supportive elders, pursue opportunities, and embrace your future, because there is so much ahead. Above all, stay determined, proud, and strong.