When Gloria Hanley left the Caribbean for England, it was the beginning of an "inspiring" story which would touch the lives of hundreds of families in Leeds.
The 72-year-old who was born in St Kitts in the West Indies, left behind her family when she took the bold step to move her life to England. An opportunity came up for Gloria to study midwifery - a job she'd wanted to do all her life - at just 18 years old, and she decided to move to the UK - and her mark has been left on the city ever since.
In her early career Gloria had to endure racism from both patients and her management while working for the NHS. She felt she was unable to challenge these comments, but was spurred by a passion for helping families in Leeds.
Read more: 10 Leeds groups we need to celebrate and talk about in Black History Month
In a BBC interview Gloria said: "I moved up to Leeds and boom, this is where I saw racism. Wherever racism is, people should be bold enough to speak out against it."
Speaking about one example of the racism she faced at work, Gloria added: "I was called to a room to deliver a lady and I entered the room, she was in bed, and of course in labour.
"She was in established labour and her husband was sat with her. So I greeted them and as my back was turned to them I could hear them whispering and when I turned around, ready to do the delivery, the husband said to me 'don't touch my wife'."
She added: "Well that shocked me, I said, 'pardon?'. He said 'I don't want you to touch my wife, we've come over here to get away from the likes of you and here you are wanting to put your black hands on my wife.
The former midwife was also known for using humour to get through challenges, and was said to "love" biscuits as a treat at work. She worked for the NHS for 54 years, spending 30 years working as a community midwife in Harehills at St James' University Hospital.
She has also conducted a lot of work in local communities and been an advocate for black women's health, and had a seat as a magistrate on the Leeds Bench and Chair of the Mary Seacole Nurses Association.
Speaking about Gloria's impact, Gilly Foster spoke about how Gloria helped her when she lost her baby. Gilly said: "August 6th 1993, I lost my baby, and I was just past 5 months pregnant, it was the most horrific experience of my life.
"I returned home on the next day and there was a knock at the door and it was Gloria, she had been notified that I had been discharged. I will never forget the words that Gloria said to me and my husband.
"She said, 'I will go away if you want me to, but you are still a mother, and I have come to see you'. Gloria realised that although I had lost my baby, I still needed support with what was going to happen next.
"She visited me for months after, calling in to make sure that I that was OK and just simply being there for me. I always made sure that I had a cuppa and chocolate biscuits ready. Gloria loves a biscuit. Gloria you made such a difference in my life at such a sad time."
Claire Flannery added: "Gloria was mine and my sisters midwife. We live on Banstead street in harehills until I was 6 and I remember her when my sister was born. I'm a midwife now and work at st James and LGI, I've picked up some good tips." Carol Davis added: "Gloria was my midwife with my son Aidan. What an incredible woman she was to us. You don't get many like her."
Julie Wilby said Gloria is a "truly inspirational lady who gave so much" to her job. Kathleen Brennan said: "Gloria , what a wonderful truly inspirational lady you are."
Gloria's "amazing" work is now featured in an exhibition at Leeds City Museum. The exhibition celebrates those who travelled from their homeland in search of a new life and in doing so, helped shape the Leeds we know today.
On display in the museum, as part of A City and its Welcome: Three Centuries of Migrating to Leeds, visitors can see Gloria's midwifery bag, ID badge and the hat she once wore. What's more, the now retired midwife is a published author who wrote 'Everybody’s Midwife'.
The synopsis is a diary of her work in an inner city of Leeds. She has also written another book about her journey from the Caribbean to Leeds. She often hosts workshops and conducts educational presentations.
Read Next:
Leeds mum sick of lack of playgroups for kids opens up her own
GMB’s Martin Lewis clashes with mum-to-be who slams his ‘miserable’ energy saving tips
Inside new Leeds NSPCC hub that's bringing vital services for children and families to the city
Leeds United's Cody Gakpo pursuit 'in doubt' as expectations shift after electric start to season
