Justina Ford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Justina Ford
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| Born |
Justina Laurena Warren
January 22, 1871 |
| Died | October 14, 1952 (aged 81) |
| Other names | Justina Carter Ford |
| Education | Hering Medical College |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Physician |
| Field | Gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics |
| Institutions | Denver General Hospital |
Justina Laurena Ford (born January 22, 1871 – died October 14, 1952) was an important American doctor. She was the first African American woman to become a licensed doctor in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Ford worked from her home for 50 years. She helped many people, specializing in women's health, delivering babies, and caring for children.
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Early Life and Education
Justina Laurena Warren was born in 1871 in Knoxville, Illinois. This was a few years after the American Civil War ended. She grew up with many brothers and sisters. Her mother was a nurse, and Justina often went with her to care for patients.
In 1892, she married John Ford, who was a Baptist minister. They moved to Chicago. Justina then went to Hering Medical College. She graduated from medical school in 1899.
Medical Career in Denver
After medical school, Dr. Ford worked for a short time at a hospital in Alabama. In 1902, she moved to Denver, Colorado. There, she received her medical license. However, she faced unfair treatment because of her race and gender. The person giving her the license told her it would be very hard for her to succeed.
At that time, African Americans were not allowed to work in hospitals in Denver. They also could not join the Colorado Medical Association. Because of these rules, Dr. Ford opened her own private practice. She worked from her home in the Five Points neighborhood.
Dr. Ford focused on three main areas of medicine. She specialized in gynecology, which is women's health. She also practiced obstetrics, which means delivering babies. And she worked in pediatrics, caring for children.
Serving the Community
Dr. Ford practiced medicine from her home for 50 years. She helped many different kinds of people. Her patients included poor white families, African Americans, and immigrants who did not speak English. These people were often turned away from other hospitals.
Many of her patients did not have money to pay her. Instead, they would trade goods or services for her medical help. Dr. Ford strongly believed that babies should be born at home if possible. During her long career, she delivered almost 7,000 babies. Her patients lovingly called her "The Lady Doctor."
Later Recognition and Legacy
By 1950, things began to change. Dr. Ford was finally allowed to join the Colorado Medical Association. She also became a member of the American Medical Association and the Denver Medical Society. She even started working at the Denver General Hospital. At this time, she was still the only African American woman doctor in Denver.
In 1951, Dr. Ford received the Human Rights Award from Denver's Cosmopolitan Club. She continued to practice medicine almost until her death. Dr. Ford passed away on October 14, 1952.
Honoring Dr. Ford
Dr. Justina Ford's home in Five Points, Denver, is now a special place. In 1988, it was turned into the Black American West Museum and Heritage Center. One room inside the museum is dedicated to showing her life and important work.
Many other honors have been given to Dr. Ford. She was added to the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1989, the Colorado Medical Society named her a "Medical Pioneer of Colorado." A sculpture of Dr. Ford holding a baby, created by Jess E. DuBois, was placed outside her former home in 1998. An elementary school in Littleton, Colorado, was also named in her honor, with construction starting in 2020.
See also
