A Life Lived Unapologetically for Public Health
Why Now Is Your Turn: Dr. Elders’ Message to the Next Generation of Women in Medicine
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. (2024, March 14). Image by Bryan Clifton Phenomenal Women ceremony at UAMS [Photograph]. UAMS News.
Dr. Joycelyn Elders captivated the audience with her signature candor, wit, and unflinching clarity, weaving personal stories with powerful calls to action. At 92, she remains an unapologetic champion for equity, science, and public health.
She was honored in a virtual program co-hosted with the New York Academy of Medicine on November 6, where she was joined in conversation by Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation President Dr. Danielle Laraque-Arena. Together, they reflected on Dr. Elders’ extraordinary career, her groundbreaking leadership as U.S. Surgeon General, and her enduring belief that truth and compassion are the cornerstones of medicine and public health.
Humble Beginnings, Unshakable Determination
Born into poverty in segregated Arkansas, Dr. Elders shared how she grew up in a three-room house with no electricity or running water. “I didn’t even see a doctor until I was in college,” she said. Her earliest ambition was modest: to be a sales clerk at Dillard’s so she could escape the cotton fields. But everything changed when she heard Dr. Edith Irby Jones speak at Philander Smith College: “I spent the rest of my life wanting to be just like her.”
With emotion, she recalled how her siblings picked cotton to raise $3.43 for her bus fare to college, a gesture that forged a promise she kept for the rest of her life: “If any of my sisters or brothers ever wanted to go to school, I would make sure they had the opportunity.”
Unafraid to Speak the Truth
Throughout her career, Dr. Elders used her platform to speak boldly on issues others avoided — from contraception to masturbation to LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive justice. “I didn’t go into medicine to be popular,” she said. “I went into medicine to make a difference. And I don’t regret a single word I ever said.”
As Surgeon General, she became a lightning rod for criticism after suggesting that masturbation should be part of sex education, not to be provocative, but to promote safe, science-based education.
Dr. Elders described her vision of “unapologetic public health”: fighting for every person to have the best health possible through prevention, education, and access. She also emphasized the critical need to treat people as they are. “You need to be who you want to be, and nobody else should decide that,” she said. “Science should never be afraid of truth.”
Legacy and A Call to Action
Dr. Elders closed with a rallying cry for future generations:
“To be a woman in science is to be a warrior. A hero. A builder. And a dreamer.”
She urged young women to claim their place, not wait their turn. “Now is your turn. We need your voices.” She called on those nearing the end of their careers to “keep mentoring, keep challenging the new generation,” reminding them that the next voice to transform medicine could be one they helped uplift.
She ended with a stirring reminder:
“When we climb the ladder of success, we must never forget to send it back down for the rest.”
You can read an excerpt of her closing remarks on our blog here.
Want to Watch the Replay?
Dr. Elders’ conversation was powerful, and it was not recorded for public release. However, members of our Women’s Legacy Collective and 1849 Society receive exclusive access. By joining the Women’s Legacy Collective, you’re not only supporting the mission of the Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation but also becoming part of a movement. You’ll connect with like-minded individuals, gain visibility through our Legacy in the Making profile feature, and make an impact that resonates for future generations in medicine.
Membership is just $50 per year. Join now and we will send you the recording of this unforgettable event.
