Juliann Bluitt Foster facts for kids

Juliann Bluitt Foster (June 14, 1938 – April 17, 2019) was a very important dentist. She was the first African American woman to graduate from dental school. Born and raised in Washington D.C., she broke many barriers. She became the first woman President of the American College of Dentists in 1993. She also led the Chicago Dental Society as its first woman President in 1992.

Early Life and Dental Dreams

Juliann Bluitt Foster grew up in Washington, D.C. during a time when schools were separated by race. She went to Dunbar High School and graduated in 1955. Her mom was a teacher, and her dad worked for the government.

Juliann became interested in dentistry at a young age. She had many visits to the orthodontist for her teeth. She was amazed by how her orthodontist could fix her smile. She saw the effort her parents made for her dental care. This made her want to learn more about fixing teeth.

Education at Howard University

Juliann attended Howard University, a famous historically Black university. She earned her bachelor's degree in zoology in 1958. She then continued her studies at Howard. In 1962, she earned her doctorate in dentistry.

She once said she chose dentistry because she wanted to be independent. She also wanted a challenge. It was also a different career path for a woman at that time. Juliann loved science and working with her hands. She also enjoyed traveling, playing golf, and spending time with her pets.

A Career in Dental Care

After graduating, Juliann Bluitt Foster moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1964. She started working as a dentist for the Chicago Board of Health. Her job was to provide dental care to children. She worked in the South Side Englewood area.

Inspiring Future Dentists

After three years, she joined the dental school faculty at Northwestern University. There, she became the director of the dental hygiene department. She helped train many dental hygienists. Juliann inspired many women, especially women of color. She encouraged them to follow their dreams in dentistry.

In 1969, she became the associate dean of the Dental School. She helped create a program called community dentistry. This program aimed to make dental care easier to get for everyone. She managed this important program from 1972 to 1978.

Later Career and Retirement

In 1980, Juliann started working as a director at the Health Care Service Corporation. This company is known as Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois. She continued working there even after retiring from Northwestern University in 2001. She helped secure funding and ensured rules were followed. She retired from the Health Care Service Corporation in 2008. She had worked there for 28 years.

Leading the Dental Community

Juliann Bluitt Foster was a true leader in the dental world. In 1992, she made history. She was elected president of the Chicago Dental Society for a one-year term. She was the first woman ever to hold this position. Before becoming president, she held many other leadership roles within the organization.

National Leadership

In 1993, she was elected president of the American College of Dentists. Her term began in 1994. This was another historic moment. She was the first woman to lead this organization in its 75-year history. She also served on committees for the American Dental Association and the American Dental Education Association.

Awards and Special Recognition

Juliann Bluitt Foster received several awards for her amazing work:

• Outstanding Service Award, American Dental Association, 1983
• Inducted into the Chicago Women's Hall of Fame, 1991