Joycelyn Elders facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joycelyn Elders
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| 15th Surgeon General of the United States | |
| In office September 8, 1993 – December 31, 1994 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Robert A. Whitney (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Audrey F. Manley (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Minnie Lee Jones
August 13, 1933 Schaal, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | at least 1 son |
| Education | Philander Smith College (BS) UA Little Rock (MD, MS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army USPHSCC |
| Years of service | Army: 1953–56 USPHS: 1993–94 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
Minnie Joycelyn Elders (born Minnie Lee Jones on August 13, 1933) is an American doctor who specializes in children's health. She also worked as a public health leader. From 1993 to 1994, she was the Surgeon General of the United States. This is a very important job, like being the nation's top doctor.
Joycelyn Elders was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service. She was the second woman and the first African American to become Surgeon General. Today, she is a retired professor of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joycelyn Elders was born Minnie Lee Jones in Schaal, Arkansas. Her family was poor and worked as sharecroppers on a farm. She was the oldest of eight children. She was also the best student in her school class.
Her family lived near a shipyard in California for two years. Then they moved back to Schaal. In college, she changed her name to Minnie Joycelyn Lee. In 1952, she earned a science degree in Biology. She went to Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas.
She worked as a nurse's aide in a hospital. Then she joined the United States Army in 1953. She became a 2nd Lieutenant. During her three years in the Army, she trained as a physical therapist.
After the Army, she went to medical school. She earned her medical degree in 1960. She then completed training in pediatrics. In 1967, she also earned a master's degree in Biochemistry.
Leading Arkansas Health
In 1987, Bill Clinton was the governor of Arkansas. He chose Elders to lead the Arkansas Department of Health. She was the first African-American woman to hold this job in the state.
While in this role, she achieved many important things.
- She greatly increased health screenings for young children.
- The number of two-year-olds who got their shots went up a lot.
- She made it easier for people to get HIV testing and counseling.
- She also improved breast cancer screenings and care for older people.
In 1992, she was chosen to be the President of a group for state health officers.
Challenges and Achievements
Elders believed that some people did not want her to be Surgeon General. She thought this was because she was a woman and African American. She once said, "They don't expect a black female to have accomplished what I have."
She felt that her identity as a Black woman shaped who she became. She overcame many challenges to reach her goals.
Becoming Surgeon General
Joycelyn Elders worked as a professor at the University of Arkansas Medical Center. She studied how hormones affect the body. In 1978, she became the first doctor in Arkansas certified in pediatric endocrinology. This means she was an expert in children's hormone health.
In January 1993, President Bill Clinton chose her for a big role. She became the Surgeon General of the United States. She was the first African American and the second woman to hold this important position.
Resignation
In December 1994, Elders left her job as Surgeon General. President Clinton's chief of staff said they disagreed on some topics.
Her professional papers are kept at the United States National Library of Medicine in Maryland.
After Government Work
After leaving her government job, Elders went back to teaching. She returned to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is now a retired professor of pediatrics there.
In 2016, she was honored. She was put into the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame.
In 2015, her old college, Philander Smith College, named a school after her. It is called the Dr. Joycelyn Elders School of Allied and Public Health.
She also wrote a book about her life in 1997. She has received several awards for her work and achievements.
Images for kids
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Joycelyn Elders' official portrait as Surgeon General.
See also
In Spanish: Joycelyn Elders para niños
