Brown, Dorothy Lavinia, 1914-2004

Doctor Dorothy Lavinia Brown (b. January 7, 1914, Philadelphia, Pa. – d. June 13, 2004, Nashville, Tenn.), also known as "Dr. D.", was an African-American surgeon, legislator, and teacher. She was the first female surgeon of African-American ancestry from the Southeastern United States. She was also the first African American female to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly as she was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives. While serving in the House of Representatives, Brown fought for women's rights and for the rights of people of color. In 1956, Brown became the first single woman in Tennessee to be granted the right to become an adoptive parent.