Photo: Finally Home Jersey City
Throughout history, extraordinary people have refused to conform, broken down boundaries, and created paths for subsequent generations to follow. One such pioneer is the great Dr. Lena Frances Edwards, who made a name for herself in the medical field. Not only did she break barriers by becoming one of the first Black women to get board certification in obstetrics and gynecology, but she also permanently altered the course of medicine.
Washington, D.C. native Lena Frances Edwards was born in 1900 during an era when Black women, and women generally, had very few options. Notwithstanding these obstacles, her ardent love for medicine shone through, leading her to achieve distinction.
Lena Frances Edwards attended the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania for medical school after finishing her bachelor’s degree at Howard University. Despite the pervasive racism in her day, she continued to do very well in school and earned a diploma with honors in 1924. Dr. Edwards decided to focus on women’s health after earning her medical degree.
Dr. Edwards encountered several challenges, including institutionalized racism, in the early stages of her professional life. Being Black didn’t stop several institutions from rejecting her medical credentials. She was unfazed and committed to giving her patients the best treatment possible.
Dr. Edwards finally settled into her role at Chicago’s Provident Hospital, where she made history shortly after. Her 1930 board certification made her history as the first Black woman to have that title in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Many Black women were finally able to get the high-quality medical treatment they had been denied for so long because of her steadfast commitment and extensive knowledge in the area.
Dr. Edwards was never satisfied with her amazing accomplishments; she kept challenging the status quo. The International College of Surgeons admitted her in 1942, marking another milestone in her path to medical renown and acceptance.
In her work as a doctor, Dr. Edwards was an outspoken supporter of women’s equality in the field. A member of the National Medical Association who devoted herself to bettering healthcare for Black Americans, she battled ceaselessly for racial and gender equality. Her coworkers and patients held her in high esteem because of her strong leadership and steadfast dedication to her work.
In addition to her remarkable medical accomplishments, Dr. Lena Frances Edwards is remembered for her tenacious advocacy for justice and equality. She persevered through the challenges that came her way with poise, power and resolve. We still marvel at everything that she did and remember how much of an influence she had on gynecology and obstetrics today.
Remembering Dr. Lena Frances Edwards as an innovator and role model for those who want to make a change is important as we
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