Halle Tanner Dillon Johnson

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Haller Tanner Dillion Johnson

Halle Tanner Dillon Johnson (1864–1901) was an American physician and the first African American woman to become a licensed physician in the state of Alabama. She was a pioneering figure in the field of medicine and made significant contributions to healthcare and education for African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Early Life and Education

Halle Tanner Dillon was born on October 17, 1864, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Benjamin Tucker Tanner, a prominent bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Sarah Elizabeth Tanner. Halle grew up in a family that valued education and social activism. Her brother, Henry Ossawa Tanner, became a renowned artist.

Halle Tanner Dillon attended the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, one of the few medical schools at the time that accepted women. She graduated with her medical degree in 1891.

Medical Career

After completing her medical education, Halle Tanner Dillon was recruited by Booker T. Washington to serve as the resident physician at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. In order to practice medicine in Alabama, she had to pass the state medical examination, which was known to be particularly rigorous. She successfully passed the examination, becoming the first African American woman to be licensed as a physician in Alabama.

At the Tuskegee Institute, Dr. Johnson provided medical care to students and staff, and she also taught classes in health and hygiene. Her work was instrumental in improving the health and well-being of the African American community in the region.

Personal Life

In 1891, Halle Tanner Dillon married Charles Dillon, who passed away shortly after their marriage. She later married John Quincy Johnson, a minister, and they had three children together.

Legacy

Halle Tanner Dillon Johnson's achievements were groundbreaking at a time when both racial and gender barriers were significant obstacles. Her dedication to medicine and education left a lasting impact on the communities she served. She is remembered as a trailblazer who paved the way for future generations of African American women in medicine.

See Also

• African American history
• Women in medicine
• Tuskegee Institute
• Booker T. Washington
• Henry Ossawa Tanner