Lena Frances Edwards
Encyclopedia
Lena Frances Edwards was a New Jersey
physician who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
.
Medical School in 1924, and started her medical practice in Jersey City, New Jersey
in 1925 within the immigrant community of Hudson County, New Jersey
. She married a classmate, Kenneth Madison, a physician, and they had six children.
Madison advocated natural childbirth. Because of racism and sexism, it took years before she was admitted to the residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Margaret Hague Hospital in Jersey City. She taught obstetrics at Howard University
Medical School but told them she could not accept a department chair because of her religious objections to abortion. She was a devoted Catholic and a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis. Her religious beliefs underlay a life of service. Among other things, she was the medical adviser to the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, and volunteered at a mission for Mexican migrant workers in Texas. Her service was recognized by Lyndon B. Johnson
in 1964 and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
and in 1966 she was awarded an honorary degree from Saint Peter's College, New Jersey
. She was awarded the Poverello Medal in 1967. She died in 1986 in Lakewood, New Jersey.
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
physician who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
.
Background
Madison was the daughter of Thomas Edwards and Marie Coakley. She graduated Howard UniversityHoward University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
Medical School in 1924, and started her medical practice in Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
in 1925 within the immigrant community of Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is the smallest county in New Jersey and one of the most densely populated in United States. It takes its name from the Hudson River, which creates part of its eastern border. Part of the New York metropolitan area, its county seat and largest city is Jersey City.- Municipalities...
. She married a classmate, Kenneth Madison, a physician, and they had six children.
Madison advocated natural childbirth. Because of racism and sexism, it took years before she was admitted to the residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Margaret Hague Hospital in Jersey City. She taught obstetrics at Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
Medical School but told them she could not accept a department chair because of her religious objections to abortion. She was a devoted Catholic and a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis. Her religious beliefs underlay a life of service. Among other things, she was the medical adviser to the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, and volunteered at a mission for Mexican migrant workers in Texas. Her service was recognized by Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
in 1964 and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
and in 1966 she was awarded an honorary degree from Saint Peter's College, New Jersey
Saint Peter's College, New Jersey
Saint Peter's College is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic college in the United States. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, it was founded in 1872 by the Society of Jesus. Today, Saint Peter's College is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
. She was awarded the Poverello Medal in 1967. She died in 1986 in Lakewood, New Jersey.