Jefferson, Mildred

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Surgeon and prominent opponent of abortion, Mildred Jefferson was born in Pittsburg, Texas, in 1926, the only child of Millard and Gutherie Jefferson. She earned a bachelor's degree from Texas College in Tyler, Texas, a masters degree from Tufts, and was the first black woman to graduate from Harvard Medical School. She later was a surgeon at Boston University Medical Center and a professor at the university's medical school.

A founder of the National Right to Life Committee, Jefferson served as its president (1975-1978), was a founder and director of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, and was active in the Value of Life Committee of Massachusetts and Black Americans for Life. She ran unsuccessfully several times as a Republican candidate for Congress. Jefferson, who was divorced, had no children. She died in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2010.

From the description of Papers of Mildred Jefferson, 1978-2010. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 702941539

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Jefferson, Mildred. Papers of Mildred Jefferson, 1978-2010. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn NOW Legal Defense & Education Fund. [Videotape collection: reels 1-48] [videorecording]. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Donnally, Jennifer M.,. Interviews by Jennifer Donnally, 2007-2010. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn [Videotape collection] [videorecording], 1984-1990 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn [Videotape collection] [videorecording], 1977-1992 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Barron, Thea Rossi. Papers of Thea Rossi Barron, 1984-2011. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf The HistoryMakers Video Oral History with Dr. Mildred Jefferson The HistoryMakers
Relation Name
associatedWith Barron, Thea Rossi. person
associatedWith Donnally, Jennifer M., person
associatedWith Massachusetts Citizens for Life. corporateBody
associatedWith National Abortion Rights Action League corporateBody
associatedWith National Right to Life Committee (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith NOW Legal Defense & Education Fund. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Charlestown (Mass.)
Pittsburgh (Tex.)
Massachusetts
Massachusetts--Boston
Boston (Mass.)
United States
Subject
Abortion
African American physicians
African American women
Political campaigns
Pro-life movement
Women political activists
Occupation
Surgeon
Activity

Person

Active 1978

Active 2010

Birth 19270406

Death 20101018

Information

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SNAC ID: 68735064