Mary Slessor

Mary Slessor
Born2 December 1848 (1848-12-02)
Aberdeen, Scotland
Died13 January 1915(1915-01-13) (aged 66)
Use Ikot Oku, Calabar, Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria
Known forChristian missionary work in Africa, women's rights, and rescuing children from infanticide
Monument to Mary Slessor, Steeple Church, Dundee

Mary Mitchell Slessor (2 December 1848 – 13 January 1915) was a Scottish Presbyterian missionary to Nigeria. Once in Nigeria, Slessor... learned Efik, one of the numerous local languages, then began teaching. Because of her understanding of the native language and her bold personality Slessor gained the trust and acceptance of the locals and was able to spread Christianity while promoting women's rights and protecting native children. She is most famous for her role in helping to stop the common practice of infanticide of twins in Okoyong, an area of Cross River State, Nigeria.[1][2]

  1. ^ "Mary Slessor".
  2. ^ Imbua, David Lishilinimle (2013). "Robbing Others to Pay Mary Slessor: Unearthing the Authentic Heroes and Heroines of the Abolition of Twin-Killing in Calabar". African Economic History. 41: 139–158. ISSN 0145-2258. JSTOR 43863309.