Mary Slessor Centenary Brochure

On January 13th, 1915, Mary Slessor, Mother of all the Peoples, passed away. She is buried in Nigeria where she spent the majority of her life, and where she was loved by all.

In honour of the life and work of Mary Slessor, the Mary Slessor Foundation, assisted by a selection of other organisations, has commissioned a bronze plaque to be made which will be erected at the City Churches.

The plaque was revealed in an unveiling ceremony which took place 100 years to the day since Mary’s death, January 13.

Through this plaque, we hope to increase awareness of this remarkable woman, who, despite her huge acheivements, is little known of even in her own city.

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Invitation letter Photography Competition

Photography Competition, Dyer Craft of Dundee in conjunction with the Mary Slessor Foundation.

Students in primary, junior and senior schools were invited to submit their photographs for this photgraphy competition influenced by the story of Mary Slessor.

The winning entries are now on display in the temporary gallery space of Verdant Works, Dundee, until 19 July 2015

Short Story Competition Invitation

Short Story Writing Competition, Nine Trades of Dundee in conjunction with the Mary Slessor Foundation.

All S2, high school pupils in Dundee were invited to submit a short piece of writing for this competition, influenced by the story of Mary Slessor.

The winning entries are now displayed in the temporary gallery space of Verdant Works, Dundee until 19 July 2015!

As part of their monthly event, the McManus Galleries hosted a Mary Slessor themed evening with guest speaker Ruth Kirkpatrick from 6 – 7 pm.

Next to the stained glass window depicting the works of Mary Slessor in the McManus Galleries Cafe, Ruth Kirkpatrick shared with the audience the struggles and acheivements of this remarkable woman, Mary Slessor.

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11 am, Thursday 5 March

Guest Lecture at the Dundee and Angus College, Gardyne Campus as part of Dundee Women’s Festival.

A talk was delivered by chairman of the Mary Slessor Foundation, Doug Binnie, telling of the work of the Mary Slessor Foundation in Calabar, Nigeria, and the challenges it faces, and comparing it to the work of Mary Slessor, an extraodinary woman.

While undoubtedly she faced different and sometimes even greater dangers and difficulties than the Foundation does today, it is notable that some of these still exist. Poverty and hardship is still an every day burden, education is still limited and life expectancy is still short.

This event was free and open to the public.

8 March 2015

14.00 – 15.30pm (doors open at 13.45)

Join curator Dr Sarah Worden and guests in a celebration of Mary Slessor’s remarkable life on the centenary of her death.

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10.30am – 4.30pm

Sportman’s Club, 11 Queens Road, Aberdeen, AB15 4YL

Tickets cost £10 and includes a buffet, childcare is available.

Pre-booking is essential, for more information on how to do this, please visit

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A dedication was given by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland at the site of the new commemorative plaque, after attending a service at The Steeple Church, Dundee.

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Mother of All the Peoples Programme

The play ‘Mother Of All The Peoples’ returned one last time at the Dundee Rep Theatre for three evenings.

With humour and pathos ‘Mother of all the Peoples’ tells the story of Mary Slessor’s journey from working 58 hours a week in a jute mill, in the slums of Dundee, to the darkest jungles of Calabar, Nigeria, where danger and disease lurked around every corner.

To fill in a short feedback form about the play, please click here. MOATP feedback

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6pm, Dalhousie Lecture Theatre, Univeristy of Dundee

Writer and Broadcaster Billy Kay was invited by the University of Dundee to deliver an illustrated talk.

This was a public event and was free to the public, it was followed by a drinks reception.

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The Sheila Tennant Awards in the spirit of Mary Slessor,  paid tribute to two enlightened and creative women who trusted humanity to deliver progress.

The awards had five categories:

- Award encouraging the Performing and Creative Arts

- Award encouraging Creative Christianity

- Award encouraging Enterprise and Employment

- Award encouraging Sporting Endeavour

- Award encouraging Community Endeavour

£2000 was awarded to the winner of each category.

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At the Caird Hall Dundee, from 6.00pm to 9.00pm

Tickers will be £5, £3 for concessions and will be available from the Caird Hall box office, City Square Dundee.

To book your tickets, click here.

The African Praise and Gospel Music Concert is back with a bang, with a bigger and better line-up of music, dance and drama performances. Come and experience African-style praise like never before, including special drama presentation on the life and works of Mary Slessor, Dundee lass to African heroine, in celebration of the centenary of her death.

In the 2015 Dundee Literary Festival a play will be performed entitled “The Four Marys”

As the dawn rises on 2015, Dundee emerges from its industrial past to a new era. Four Marys- Slessor, Brooksbank, Walker and Baxter, each helped shape the city in their different ways and they meet in a disused jute mill to discuss their roles in creating the Dundee that is spread out before them. The good, the bad and the ugly truth will be revealed in this new play developed for the Mary Slessor Centenary.

This play is supported by the University of Dundee. For more information contact a.c.day@dundee.ac.uk.