Bruno Pugh
The health and wellness industry became inclusive with the help of Black women who challenged injustice. By reshaping care in hospitals, classrooms, courtrooms, and communities, they pioneered what health equity looks like. You can still see their impact in every wellness app and conversation about informed care. However, not many people know their names. So today, let’s pay tribute to those 10 Black women whose brilliance and courage made healthcare a reality for all.
Mamie Phipps Clark
Few tests changed history like Mamie Phipps Clark’s “Doll Test.” By showing how internal bias harms Black children’s self-esteem, she ignited significant shifts. Her research contributed to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision and inspired the vital mental health work of the Northside Center for Child Development.
Rebecca Lee Crumpler
Rebecca Lee Crumpler opened doors for Black women in medicine—she earned an M.D. when none had before and treated many formerly enslaved people. Her book, “A Book of Medical Discourses,” tells us the importance of preventive care and demonstrates her commitment to women and children in areas lacking proper support.
Helen Octavia Dickens
Determination set Helen Octavia Dickens apart in every role she held. Notably, her name broke new ground when the American College of Surgeons inducted its first Black woman into its ranks. Beyond that, an early teen clinic for young mothers and broader access to Pap tests showed her reach.
Kizzmekia Corbett
A true vaccine hero with style, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett led the NIH team that launched the mRNA‑1273 COVID‑19 vaccine into human trials—just 66 days after the virus’s genetic sequence was released. Her viral immunology work spans dengue, RSV, influenza, and coronaviruses. At Harvard, she mentors students and champions STEM inclusion in underserved communities.
Joycelyn Elders
Words most people didn’t dare to say came easily to Joycelyn Elders. As the first Black U.S. Surgeon General, Elders spoke out about adolescent health and advocated for improved education on sensitive topics. Critics pushed back, but her focus remained clear—expanding health equity and reaching communities lacking proper care in both rural and urban areas.
Mary Eliza Mahoney
Respect surrounded Mary Eliza Mahoney wherever nursing took her. Over time, her training and licensure paved the way for Black women in nursing across the United States. That breakthrough inspired her to help launch the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses, push for women’s rights and integration, and earn recognition that still endures today.
Patricia Bath
Innovation met precision when Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe, which utilized laser energy to clear cataracts safely. This breakthrough pushed community ophthalmology forward worldwide. At NYU, Bath broke barriers as a resident in ophthalmology and later made history by securing a U.S. patent for a medical device.
Ruth Ella Moore
Ruth Ella Moore’s calm pursuit of science led to significant breakthroughs. Her PhD in natural sciences (microbiology) made her the earliest Black woman in the U.S. to reach that level. She published key work on tuberculosis and dental bacteria before leading by example as Howard University’s first female department chair.
Latham Thomas
Advocacy stays at the heart of Latham Thomas’s mission. Through Mama Glow, her maternity and wellness company, Black people gain focused care and support. Additionally, certified programs train doulas and birth workers to support and guide others. Her books and talks keep reproductive justice and holistic maternal wellness in the spotlight.
Dorothy Celeste Boulding Ferebee
Access to medical care reached isolated Black communities because of Dorothy Boulding Ferebee’s mobile clinics. As the leader of the Mississippi Health Project, she provided aid to sharecroppers during the era of segregation. Moreover, her push for birth control access and sex education linked civil rights and public health through tireless advocacy.