Happy International Women’s Day! On this day, we honor the global social and health accomplishments of women. We particularly wish to draw attention to the outstanding accomplishments of black female doctors who have broken down barriers and prepared the way for future generations.
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In addition to being experts in their industries, these women have demonstrated incredible bravery and tenacity in the face of difficulty. Without further ado, here are 10 black female doctors to honor International Women’s Day in 2023.
Dr. Joycelyn Elders
The first black female doctor we are celebrating this international women’s day is Dr. Joycelyn Elders, a pediatrician and champion for public health, was the 15th Surgeon General of the United States when she was born on August 13, 1933. She held this position for the second time, and she was the first black woman. In the struggle for healthcare equity, Dr. Elders paved the way. She is renowned for her support of comprehensive sex education and changes to the law governing drugs.
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Dr. Mae Jemison
Former NASA astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison is a doctor, engineer, and scientist. In 1992, she made history by becoming the first black woman in space. Dr. Jemison has concentrated on advancing scientific education and inspiring young people, particularly girls and minorities, to pursue jobs in STEM sectors since leaving NASA. Mae Jemison was born on October 17, 1956, in Alabama.
Dr. Regina Benjamin
As the 18th Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Regina Benjamin is a family physician. She holds this job alongside a small number of other black women. Dr. Benjamin is well known for her support of preventative medicine. She has devoted a great deal of her time to reducing health inequities in rural and underserved areas. Mobile, Alabama, was the place of her birth on October 26, 1956. She won the Nelson Mandela Prize for Health and Human Rights in 1998 as the United States representative.
Dr. Aletha Maybank
While being a doctor, Dr. Aletha Maybank serves as the American Medical Association’s chief officer for health equity. She has played a crucial role in the creation of laws and programs meant to lessen racial and ethnic health disparities. She is a major voice in the struggle for health equity. Dr. Maybank was recognized in 2012 with The Network Journal 40 Under 40 Award, Beauty and the Beat: Heroine in Excellence Award, Women of Excellence Award, and Diaspora Services Award.
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
In 1975, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, a pediatrician, was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. For the years 2019 through 2022, she served as California’s Surgeon General. She is a pioneer in the effort to treat childhood trauma and its effects on health outcomes on a national scale. In addition to creating ground-breaking initiatives to recognize and address childhood trauma, Dr. Burke Harris has been a fervent supporter of laws that place a high priority on the wellbeing of kids. James Irvine Foundation presented Her with a leadership award in 2014.
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Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
In Hurdle Mills, North Carolina, on January 26, 1986, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett was born. She was a crucial contributor to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine’s development and has been a key advocate in the pandemic-fighting effort. Dr. Corbett has received praise for her efforts to advance vaccine fairness and boost vaccination confidence in underprivileged populations. She was featured on Time magazine’s “Time100 Next” list for 2021 under the category of Innovators. She was honored as a National Honoree and USA TODAY’s Woman of the Year in 2022.
Dr. Helene Gayle
Former CEO of The Chicago Community Trust and physician Dr. Helene Gayle. She is a well-known public health expert who has served in a number of high-profile roles, including president and CEO of the McKinsey Social Initiative and CEO of CARE. From 1992 to 1994, Gayle headed USAID’s HIV/AIDS Division and served as the organization’s AIDS coordinator. Dr. Gayle has tirelessly fought for healthcare access and equity while tackling health inequalities on a worldwide scale. New York’s Buffalo on August 16, 1955.
Dr. Oni Blackstock
Infectious illness specialist Dr. Oni Blackstock founded Health Justice and serves as its executive director. She has been a vociferous supporter of health equity and a major voice in the fight to eliminate racial disparities in healthcare. Dr. Blackstock has played a crucial role in the creation of laws and programs meant to lessen health inequalities and advance health equity.
Dr. Ala Stanford
The Black Doctors COVID-19 Collaboration was established by pediatric surgeon Dr. Ala Stanford. She has been crucial in getting COVID-19 testing and immunizations to marginalized neighborhoods in Philadelphia and is a major voice in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Stanford has received recognition for her efforts to advance vaccination equity and widen access to vaccines for communities of color. She has received numerous honors, including USA Today’s Woman of the Year for 2022.
Dr. Camara Jones
Now last black female doctor we are celebrating on international women’s day is Dr. Camara Jones. Family doctor and epidemiologist Dr. Camara Jones practices both fields. She is an internationally recognized authority on the subject of racism as a social determinant of health and has been a strong supporter of health equity. Dr. Jones has created cutting-edge theories and tactics for addressing health inequities and advancing health justice, and her work has received widespread acclaim.
The remarkable women who have broken down barriers and had a substantial impact on healthcare and public health are many, and these ten black female doctors are only a small sample of them. These are real pioneers who serve as an example for everyone. Let’s commemorate the accomplishments of women on this International Women’s Day and pledge to carry on their legacy by promoting a more fair and just society.
Happy Women’s Day!
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