Joycelyn Elders | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 15th Surgeon General of the United States | |
| In office September 8, 1993 – December 31, 1994 | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Robert A. Whitney (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Audrey F. Manley (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Minnie Lee Jones August 13, 1933 Schaal, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | at least 1 son |
| Education | Philander Smith College (BS) UA Little Rock (MD, MS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army USPHSCC |
| Years of service | Army: 1953–56 USPHS: 1993–94 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
Minnie Joycelyn Elders (born Minnie Lee Jones; August 13, 1933) is an American pediatrician and public health administrator who served as Surgeon General of the United States from 1993 to 1994. A vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, she was the second woman, second person of color, and first African American to serve as Surgeon General.
Elders is known for her frank discussion of her views on controversial issues such as drug legalization, masturbation, and distributing contraception in schools.[1] She was forced to resign in December 1994 amidst controversy as a result of her views. She is currently a professor emerita of pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
- ^ Duffy, Michael (December 19, 1994). "Getting Out the Wrecking Ball". Time. Archived from the original on August 12, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2007.