Mildred Fay Jefferson
Encyclopedia
Dr. Mildred Fay Jefferson (April 4, 1926 — October 15, 2010) was an American
physician
and pro-life activist
and the first African-American woman to graduate from Harvard Medical School
.
The only child of a Methodist minister and a school teacher, Jefferson was born in Pittsburg, Texas
and raised in Carthage, Texas
. After earning her bachelor's degree
from Texas College
, and her master's degree
from Tufts University
, she graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1951. She went on to apply for a surgical internship at Boston City Hospital
. She was also the first female doctor at the former Boston University Medical Center.
Jefferson was an prominent leader in the pro-life movement. She helped found the National Right to Life Committee
and served on the Boards of Directors of more than 30 pro-life organizations. She unsuccessfully sought the Republican
nomination as a United States Senator from Massachusetts
.
Dr. Jefferson was divorced and had no children. She died in 2010, at the age of 84, from undisclosed causes.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and pro-life activist
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
and the first African-American woman to graduate from Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
.
The only child of a Methodist minister and a school teacher, Jefferson was born in Pittsburg, Texas
Pittsburg, Texas
Pittsburg is a city located in Camp County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 4,347. It is the county seat of Camp County. It is best known as the home of the giant poultry producer Pilgrim's Pride and the home of racing legend Carroll Shelby...
and raised in Carthage, Texas
Carthage, Texas
Carthage is a city in Panola County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,664 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Panola County, and is situated in East Texas near the Louisiana state line.-Geography:...
. After earning her bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from Texas College
Texas College
Texas College is a historically black four-year college located in Tyler, Texas that is affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and the United Negro College Fund...
, and her master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
, she graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1951. She went on to apply for a surgical internship at Boston City Hospital
Boston City Hospital
The Boston City Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, was "intended for the use and comfort of poor patients, to whom medical care will be provided at the expense of the city, and .....
. She was also the first female doctor at the former Boston University Medical Center.
Jefferson was an prominent leader in the pro-life movement. She helped found the National Right to Life Committee
National Right to Life Committee
The National Right to Life Committee is the oldest and largest pro-life organization in the United States with affiliates in all 50 states and over 3,000 local chapters nationwide. The group works through legislation and education to work against abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and assisted...
and served on the Boards of Directors of more than 30 pro-life organizations. She unsuccessfully sought the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nomination as a United States Senator from Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Dr. Jefferson was divorced and had no children. She died in 2010, at the age of 84, from undisclosed causes.