Joycelyn Elders
Former Surgeon General of the United States / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Minnie Joycelyn Elders (born Minnie Lee Jones; August 13, 1933) is an American pediatrician and public health administrator who served as Surgeon General of the United States from 1993 to 1994. A vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, she was the second woman, second person of color, and first African American to serve as Surgeon General.
Joycelyn Elders | |
---|---|
15th Surgeon General of the United States | |
In office September 8, 1993 – December 31, 1994 | |
President | Bill Clinton |
Preceded by | Robert A. Whitney (acting) |
Succeeded by | Audrey F. Manley (acting) |
Personal details | |
Born | Minnie Lee Jones (1933-08-13) August 13, 1933 (age 90) Schaal, Arkansas, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Philander Smith College (BS) University of Arkansas, Little Rock (MD, MS) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army USPHS Commissioned Corps |
Years of service | Army: 1953–1956 Public Health Service: 1993–1994 |
Rank | Vice Admiral |
Elders is best known for her frank discussion of her views on controversial issues such as drug legalization, masturbation, and distributing contraception in schools.[1] She was forced to resign in December 1994 amidst controversy as a result of her views. She is currently a professor emerita of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.