Zenobia Gilpin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zenobia Gilpin
Born	Zenobia Gustava Gilpin about 1898 Richmond, Virginia
Died	June 11, 1948 Richmond, Virginia
Other names	Zenobia Henderson Gilpin, Zenobia Gilpin Henderson
Occupation	Physician, clubwoman

Zenobia Gilpin (born around 1898 – June 11, 1948) was an amazing American doctor and a leader in community groups. She was known as "one of the best citizens of Richmond". As an African-American doctor during the Jim Crow era, she helped many Black communities that did not have good medical care.

Who Was Zenobia Gilpin?

Zenobia Gustava Gilpin was born in Richmond, Virginia. Her father, St. James Gilpin, owned a shoe store. She was also a cousin to the famous actor Charles Sidney Gilpin.

Zenobia's School Days

Zenobia was a very bright student. She went to Howard University, a well-known college. She graduated from Howard University in 1920. After that, she continued her studies to become a doctor. She finished medical school at the Howard University College of Medicine in 1923.

Zenobia's Medical Career

Dr. Gilpin opened her own medical office in Richmond. She also set up special clinics at Black churches in the city. This helped many people get the medical care they needed.

Helping Patients and Hospitals

Dr. Gilpin was a leader in her field. She was the head of the department that helped mothers and babies at Richmond Community Hospital. She also worked as the secretary for the Virginia State Medical Association. In 1930, she became the president of the Richmond Medical Society.

She was the first Black woman doctor to work at the Children's Memorial Clinic. This was a big step forward! Dr. Gilpin also served on the City Lunacy Commission. She was on the board of directors for the Phillis Wheatley branch of the YWCA. From 1936 until she passed away, she was the secretary of the St. Philip Hospital Clinic.

Supporting Her Community During War

During World War II, Dr. Gilpin continued to help her community. She worked at the student clinic at Hampton Institute. She also helped organize a concert to raise money for important causes. Dr. Gilpin even created a nutrition program for families in Richmond. This program taught people how to make healthy meals with the limited food available during wartime rationing.

Zenobia's Community Involvement

Dr. Gilpin was very active in important organizations. She was a member of the NAACP. The NAACP works to ensure equal rights for all people. She was also part of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. This is a group of college-educated women who work to help their communities.

Leading the Way

Dr. Gilpin was a founding member of the NAACP's Virginia State Conference. She was also the first president of the Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha. She led this chapter from 1925 to 1927. In 1932, she traveled to Los Angeles to attend the Summer Olympics. On her way home, she was honored at a special lunch in Chicago. Another Black doctor, Lillian Singleton Dove, hosted the event.

Zenobia's Lasting Impact

In 1943, Dr. Gilpin married Welton Hamlet Henderson, who was an educator. She passed away in 1948 in her late forties at her home in Richmond. She is buried at Woodland Cemetery.

Remembering Dr. Gilpin

After her death, a clinic was named in her honor. More recently, in 2019, the Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha started Zenobia's Promise Foundation. This foundation also carries on her legacy. In 2018, her microscope from 1938 was shown at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center in Richmond. This shows how important her work was.