Edith Irby Jones

EdithIrbyJones

Edith Irby Jones
Born	Edith Mae Irby (1927-12-23)December 23, 1927 Conway, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	July 15, 2019(2019-07-15) (aged 91) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Physician
Known for	First African-American student to attend and graduate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Edith Irby Jones (December 23, 1927 – July 15, 2019) was an American physician and civil rights activist. She was the first African-American student to attend and graduate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Early life and education

Edith Mae Irby was born in Conway, Arkansas, on December 23, 1927. She grew up in a segregated society and faced numerous challenges due to racial discrimination. Despite these obstacles, she excelled academically and was determined to pursue a career in medicine.

Jones attended Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She then applied to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and, in 1948, became the first African-American student to be admitted to the institution. She graduated in 1952, breaking significant racial barriers in the field of medicine.

Medical career

After completing her medical degree, Jones interned at Hubbard Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. She later moved to Houston, Texas, where she established a successful medical practice. Jones was known for her dedication to providing medical care to underserved communities and was actively involved in various civil rights initiatives.

Jones was a founding member of the Association of Black Cardiologists and served as the first female president of the National Medical Association. She was also a member of the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians.

Civil rights activism

Throughout her career, Jones was a staunch advocate for civil rights and worked tirelessly to improve healthcare access for African-Americans and other marginalized groups. She participated in numerous civil rights marches and was a close associate of prominent civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Medgar Evers.

Awards and recognition

Jones received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to medicine and civil rights. She was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and received the National Medical Association's highest honor, the Scroll of Merit. In 1986, she was named the American Medical Association's Woman Physician of the Year.

Personal life

Jones was married to James B. Jones, and they had three children. She continued to practice medicine and advocate for civil rights until her death on July 15, 2019, in Houston, Texas.

Legacy

Edith Irby Jones's legacy is marked by her pioneering achievements in medicine and her unwavering commitment to civil rights. She remains an inspiration to many aspiring physicians and activists.

See also

• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
• National Medical Association
• Civil rights movement