Legendary Medical Doctor and Civil Rights Leader Edith Irby Jones Dies at 91

Dr. Edith Irby Jones led a life of first. She was the first black intern at the Baylor College of Medicine and the first woman to be president of the National Medical Association. She was also the first African American student in her entire medical school at the University of Arkansas. The legendary figured passed away on Monday at the age of 91.

She is best known as a pioneer in the medical field who had a passion for ensuring all received proper health care. However, doing this did not go without a fight. She experienced segregation as she tried to work at different hospitals. Finally, she opened her own practice in her hometown in Arkansas. Later she would to Houston and did it again. In the heart of Third Ward, Jones opened her private practice in 1960s.

She worked in line with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. fighting injustices.

Funeral arrangements are pending.