Joycelyn Elders

Joycelyn Elders (born August 13, 1933) is an American pediatrician and public health administrator. She was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the first African American appointed as Surgeon General of the United States. Elders is best known for her frank discussion of her views on controversial issues such as drug legalization and distributing contraception in schools.

Early life and education

Elders was born Minnie Lee Jones in Schaal, Arkansas, the eldest of eight children. She worked in the cotton fields while attending an all-black school. After completing her secondary education, she received a scholarship to Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she majored in biology.

Career

After graduating from college, Elders joined the United States Army, where she trained as a physical therapist. She then attended the University of Arkansas Medical School, where she obtained her M.D. degree in 1960. Elders completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of Minnesota.

In 1987, Elders was appointed as the director of the Arkansas Department of Health by then-Governor Bill Clinton. During her tenure, she worked to improve the state's health care delivery system, particularly for the poor and underserved.

In 1993, President Clinton appointed Elders as the Surgeon General of the United States. During her tenure, she advocated for comprehensive health education, including sex education, in schools. She also spoke out about the need for better health care for the poor and for more diversity in the health care profession.

Controversies

Elders' tenure as Surgeon General was marked by controversy due to her outspoken views. She was forced to resign in 1994 after making comments about the potential benefits of legalizing drugs and the possibility of teaching masturbation as a part of sex education in schools.

Legacy

Despite the controversies, Elders is widely respected for her contributions to public health and her efforts to improve health care access for the poor and underserved. She continues to be an advocate for comprehensive health education and for the legalization of drugs.

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Joycelyn Elders

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  Philander Smith College Harry R. Kendall Center