Joycelyn Elders, M.D.: From Sharecropper's Daughter to Surgeon General of the United States of America Hardcover – October 1, 1996

I'm an older man so I remember when Dr. Elders was Surgeon General of the USA under President Clinton. She made some suggestions for eliminating teen pregnancy, birth control, and other health issues facing the American people. Unfortunately, the press jumped on some of her suggestions, such as masturbation, and kept her in the spotlight until President Clinton had to ask her for her resignation. Actually, her recommendations were excellent ones and we'd be better off if they had been implemented. Dr. Elders gave a detailed analysis of what happens when a young girl in high school becomes pregnant, not only to her and her baby, but to her family and many around her. She usually drops out of school, takes a low paying job, finds herself unable to care for her baby, and, generally, has a low standard of living and a low quality of life. Fantastic book, Read it if you have any interest at all in this issue. Oh, yes, she was Clinton's surgeon general in Arkansas where she made great strides in improving the health issues of so many of the poor people there. President Clinton asked her to do the same for the entire United States what she'd done there in Arkansas. I can't stop writing. If you read this book, you'll be amazed to read about the poverty she was raised in and how she was able finish high school, go to college, and then to med school. When she won a scholarship to a small black college because she was valedictorian of her high school graduating class, she didn't even have bus fare to get there. What an inspiration!

I predict that this autobiography by Joycelyn Elders, M.D., will be read by future generations of history students to understand what it was like to grow up dirt-poor and black in the 20th century under Jim Crow in the American South. Through determination, natural intelligence, and a charismatic personality, Joycelyn Elders became not just a physician, but a medical school professor, state health director, and national Surgeon General. Readers of this book will note that her life did not just include personal achievement, but also the same sort of family problems that beset many, including mental illness and drug addiction. Dr. Elders' courage in pursuing health issues related to sexuality brought down the full wrath of the Religious Right and ultimately led President Bill Clinton to fire her for speaking the truth in her role as Surgeon General. History will judge whether Bill Clinton or Joycelyn Elders is the role model others will want to follow. This book deserves a place on every high school reading list today. All the rest of us will be inspired and gratified by Dr. Elders' remarkable story, told in a most appealing, conversational manner. Treat yourself to a copy of this book, and when you're finished reading it. pass it on as a gift to your best friend.

Great book! I recommend it highly. Engaging, accessible. A remarkable life! Also an excellent way to learn about recent American history. I keep giving my copy of the book away and then have to buy another one.

Very interesting book about an amazing woman.

The product met or exceeded description and I liked that. It did take quite a bit longer to ship than I expected. But the fact that it was in far greater shape than I thought so the extra few days was worth it

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Great story, and especially pertinent to today's issues.

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