Connie Yerwood Connor facts for kids

Connie Yerwood Conner (born around 1908, died June 11, 1991) was an important doctor from Texas. She was the first Black doctor to work on the Texas Department of Health.

Becoming a Doctor

Connie Yerwood Conner was born in Victoria, Texas. She grew up in Austin. From a young age, she knew she wanted to be a doctor. Her father was also a doctor. Connie and her sister, Joyce Yerwood, often joined their father at work. This early experience helped her decide her future path.

Education and Training

Connie worked hard in school. In 1925, she graduated from Samuel Huston College. She then went on to medical school. In 1933, she graduated with high honors (cum laude) from Meharry Medical College.

After medical school, Dr. Conner completed her residency. This is a special training period for new doctors. She first focused on pediatrics, which is the medical care of babies and children. However, she soon became very interested in public health. This field focuses on improving the health of whole communities. She received a scholarship to study public health at the University of Michigan.

Helping Communities in Texas

In 1937, Dr. Conner made history. She became the first Black woman to work for the Texas Department of Health. She dedicated her career to helping people, especially in rural areas.

Improving Health Services

Dr. Conner played a big role in training midwives in East Texas. Midwives are trained professionals who help women during childbirth. She also created many wellness clinics in small towns across Texas. These clinics provided important health care services to people who might not have had easy access to doctors.

Breaking Barriers

For many years, Dr. Conner faced challenges because of her race. She was often overlooked for promotions. However, things began to change after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. This important law made it illegal to discriminate against people based on their race.

After this law, Dr. Conner received the recognition she deserved. She became the first Black woman director of Maternal and Child Health in Texas. This meant she was in charge of programs that helped mothers and children stay healthy. By the time she retired in 1977, she had been promoted to the director of health services for the entire state of Texas.

Dr. Connie Yerwood Conner passed away on June 11, 1991, in Austin. She is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Austin, Texas. Her work greatly improved health care for many Texans, especially those in underserved communities.