Born in North Carolina, she had an innate interest in inventing as her father and grandfather were known inventors at the time.

She initially went to Howard University, but due to financial limitations, was unable to continue school. She also faced sexism and discrimination. During this period in history, women were much less likely to pursue higher education or gain scientific training due to these factors.

She pursued her passion for inventing and eventually made the sanitary belt and had it patented, but when the company and investors found out she was a woman of color, they ultimately denied her invention, and when the patent expired, began their development of her invention, unfortunately leaving her out.

Her most well-known invention was the sanitary pad used in menstruation. She has the most patents of any Black Woman in United States history and will always be remembered for her contributions to personal health and hygiene.

Thank you, Mary Davidson Kenner for being a public health hero!

This biography is based on publicly available information and was edited by Hugh Dunn and Adam Graczyk.

Dr. Roscoe Conkling Brown Senior, lived from 1884 to 1963. Born in Washington D.C., he had an early interest in Public Health and Dentistry, and he graduated from Howard University with his Dental Degree in 1906.

While practicing, he became an instructor of Oral Hygiene and Sanitation For the Richmond Hospital School of Nursing.

Dr. Brown was a founding member of the Office of Negro Health Work and worked in the US Public Health Service. He helped develop educational materials about health concerns for those in the Black Community.

He also served in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's “Black Cabinet” which helped to improve the lives of those in the Black community during Roosevelt’s New Deal from 1933 to 1939.

Thank you, Dr. Conkling Brown for being a public health hero!

This biography is based on publicly available information and was edited by Hugh Dunn and Adam Graczyk.

Dr. James McCune Smith lived from 1813 to 1865.

He is known as the first African American Medical Doctor.

He was denied admission to multiple universities in the United States, but due to his unwavering determination, he sought education in Scotland at the University of Glasgow and received not only his Bachelor's degree but his Master's and Medical degrees.

Dr. McCune Smith took part in multiple anti-slavery movements, and served as a main contributor in the eventual abolishment of slavery.

Among many other accomplishments, he worked tirelessly to increase knowledge of the current standing of the Black community to seek condition improvements, and he opened the first black-owned pharmacy.

Thank you Dr. McCune Smith for being a public health hero!

This biography is based on publicly available information and was edited by Hugh Dunn and Adam Graczyk.