Dr. Josephine English, a pioneering gynecologist and advocate for women's health, was born in 1920 in Virginia. After completing her education, she became the first Black woman to open a private practice in New York in 1956. Throughout her career, she delivered around 6,000 babies, including notable figures. Beyond obstetrics, she established the Adelphi Medical Center and initiated several community programs to enhance health services and arts accessibility. Her legacy extends beyond medicine, empowering the community in Brooklyn and advocating for the health rights of all.
She was incredibly ambitious, and she worked so hard. She worked six days a week, and she delivered babies at all times of the day and night. She did abortions on Saturdays. You'd think Saturday would be a day off for her, but that was one of her hardest days.
In 1979, English established the Adelphi Medical Center in Fort Greene to provide better medical care to both men and women. She soon added a senior citizens' center.
English moved to Brooklyn and opened a women's clinic in Bushwick, making her the first Black woman to open a private practice in the state of New York.
Her work continued in 1982 when, in an effort to bring more of the arts to the community, she purchased a deserted church next to the Adelphi Medical Center and converted it into the Paul Robeson Theater.
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