Year: 1953

Who: Dr. Joycelyn Elders

Where: Little Rock, Arkansas

Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders, born Minnie Lee Jones on August 13, 1933, in Schaal, Arkansas, is a pioneering physician and public health advocate. Growing up in a poor, segregated farming community as the eldest of eight children, Elders faced significant challenges. Despite these hardships, she excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian from her high school class at age 15.

Elders earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1952. She served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1956, training as a physical therapist. After her military service, she obtained her M.D. from the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1960 and completed a residency in pediatrics.

In 1987, Elders became the Director of the Arkansas Department of Health, making her the first African American woman to hold this position in the state. During her tenure, she implemented initiatives that significantly reduced teen pregnancy rates and improved immunization coverage.

Serving as the 15th U.S. Surgeon General from 1993 to 1994 under President Bill Clinton, Elders was the first African American and second woman to occupy this role. She was known for her forthright views on public health issues, advocating for comprehensive sex education and candid discussions about sexuality. Her tenure was cut short due to controversies surrounding her progressive stances, leading to her resignation in December 1994.

Post-resignation, Elders continued to influence public health policy and education. She has been a vocal advocate for increasing the number of Black physicians and addressing health disparities within the African American community. Dr. Joycelyn Elders' legacy is marked by her trailblazing role in public health and her unwavering commitment to addressing complex health issues with honesty and compassion.

Sources:

Websites:

• Harvard Medical School. (n.d.). M. Joycelyn Elders, MD (First African American and the Second Woman to Become U.S. Surgeon General). Perspectives of Change. Retrieved April 11, 2025, from https://perspectivesofchange.hms.harvard.edu/node/193                     

• National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders - Changing the Face of Medicine. Retrieved April 11, 2025, from https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_98.html