Joycelyn Elders

She served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1956, serving as a physical therapist[?] for injured soldiers. In 1960 she earned her M.D. at the University of Arkansas[?]. She went on to hold a variety of positions in the University, and became a medical professor in 1976.

In 1987 Governor Bill Clinton appointed Elders Director of the Arkansas Department of Health. In 1993 after Clinton was elected president, he appointed her as United States Surgeon General, making her the first African American and second woman to hold the position.

As Surgeon General Elders quickly established a reputation for controversy. Like many of the Surgeon Generals before her, she was an outspoken advocate of a variety of health-related causes, some of which were quite unconventional. She argued for greater drug leagalization, and was a strong backer of President Clinton's plan for national healthcare[?]. Such actions earned her a reputation as a avid liberal.

In 1993 she publically stated her belief that masturbation should be taught to higschool students as part of sexual education[?]. This caused great controversy, and prompted President Clinton to ask for her resignation.