Year: 1987

Where: Schaal, AR

Who: Minnie Joycelyn Elders

Minnie Joycelyn Elders, born on August 13, 1933, in Schaal, Arkansas, made history in 1993 when she became the first African American woman to serve as the U.S. Surgeon General. Appointed by President Bill Clinton, her appointment marked a significant milestone in American history, not only because of her race and gender but also due to her unwavering commitment to addressing controversial public health issues. Elders’ tenure as Surgeon General, though brief, was marked by bold advocacy that challenged traditional public health policies and norms.

As Surgeon General, Elders became known for her candid approach to public health, advocating for comprehensive sex education, contraceptive distribution in schools, and even supporting the legalization of drugs. She was one of the first high-profile public health officials to speak openly about the importance of discussing masturbation as part of sex education, and she made waves with her stance on reproductive health. Elders also played a pivotal role in improving healthcare access in Arkansas during her tenure as the state's Director of Health, focusing on early childhood screenings, immunizations, and HIV testing, and working to expand healthcare services to underserved communities.

Elders’ advocacy was deeply rooted in her personal experiences growing up in poverty and witnessing the struggles of African American communities with limited access to healthcare. She believed that education, prevention, and open dialogue were key to addressing public health issues like teen pregnancy, HIV, and healthcare inequality. Her career stands as a testament to her belief that candid conversations about sexual and reproductive health could empower individuals and create healthier, more informed communities, and she remains a trailblazer in the fight for public health reform.

Sources:

Websites:

• U.S. National Library Medicine. (2015, June 3). Changing the Face of Medicine | M. JoycelynElders. https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_98.html

• M. Joycelyn Elders, MD (first African American and the second woman to become U.S. Surgeon General). M. Joycelyn Elders, MD (First African American and the Second Woman to Become U.S. Surgeon General) | Perspectives Of Change. (2020). https://perspectivesofchange.hms.harvard.edu/node/193