Elders, Joycelyn (1933–)
Elders, Joycelyn (1933–)
African-American physician. Born Minnie Joycelyn Jones in Schaal, Arkansas, Aug 13, 1933; dau. of Curtis (sharecropper) and Haller Jones; Philander Smith College, BA, 1952; University of Arkansas Medical School, MD, 1960, MS in biochemistry, 1967; m. Oliver Elders (basketball coach); children: 2 sons.
The 1st black woman appointed US surgeon general, was an assistant professor of pediatrics at University of Arkansas Medical School, becoming a full professor (1976) and board certified as a pediatric endocrinologist (1978); appointed director of Arkansas' department of public health (1987); was confirmed as 16th surgeon general (Sept 1993), vowing to become "the voice and vision of the poor and the powerless"; was an outspoken advocate of reproductive rights, contraceptives, safe sex, and the decriminalization of drugs, issues that the American public has not always been comfortable with in open forum; after a series of uncensored statements that embarrassed the White House, was removed from office 15 months into her term. Received the Arkansas Democrat's Woman of the Year award, the National Governors' Association Distinguished Service Award, American Medical Association's Dr. Nathan Davis Award, De Lee Humanitarian Award, and National Coalition of 100 Black Women's Candace Award for Health Science.
See also autobiography (with David Chanoff) From Sharecropper's Daughter to Surgeon General of the United States (Morrow, 1996); and Women in World History.