Dorothy Celeste Boulding, later known as Dorothy Ferebee, was born on October 10, 1898, in Virginia. She was raised in Norfolk and Boston before eventually settling in Washington D.C. She attended Simmons College in Massachusetts for her undergraduate degree before pursuing her medical education at Tufts University Medical School.
After completing medical school, Ferebee dedicated her career to providing medical services to African Americans in the South. She founded the Southeast Neighborhood House in Washington D.C., where she worked tirelessly to improve health outcomes in underserved communities. Ferebee also served as the director of the Mississippi Health Project and the health services wing at Howard University Medical School.
Ferebee's personal life was just as fulfilling as her professional one. She married dentist Claude Thurston Ferebee, and together they had fraternal twins named Claude, Jr. and Dorothy.
In 1949, Ferebee succeeded Mary McLeod Bethune as the president of the National Council of Negro Women, continuing her legacy of advocating for social justice and equality. Through her pioneering work in the field of medicine and her dedication to serving marginalized communities, Ferebee left an indelible mark on the lives of those she touched.
Dorothy Ferebee's life was a testament to the power of dedication and compassion in the face of adversity. Her tireless efforts to improve the health and well-being of African Americans in the South continue to inspire generations of healthcare professionals and activists today.
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