Elzora Mae Kramer Brown (March 20, 1949 – March 3, 2013) was an American breast cancer awareness advocate. Brown worked to improve awareness of breast cancer in the African-American community. She was the first African American woman to serve on the National Cancer Advisory Board.
Zora Kramer Brown | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Elzora Mae Brown March 20, 1949 |
| Died | March 3, 2013 (aged 63) Oklahoma City, US |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma State University |
| Known for | Breast cancer awareness |
Biography
editBrown was born Elzora Mae Brown on March 20, 1949, in Holdenville, Oklahoma.[1] She was raised in Oklahoma City.[2] Brown earned her bachelors degree from Oklahoma State University in 1969.[3] Brown first worked as a secretary at the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association and then in the lobbying office at Ford Motor Company.[4] In 1976, she started working as an administrative assistant in the White House on women's programs, where she met Betty Ford.[4]
Brown was diagnosed with breast cancer first in 1981 and later in 1997.[4] As one of several women in her family who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, Brown created the Breast Cancer Resource Committee (BCRC) in 1989.[5] BCRC helps promote awareness about breast cancer to black women.[2] Black women had higher rates of mortality from breast cancer than other demographics.[1]
Brown was the first African-American woman appointed to the National Cancer Advisory Board, where she served from 1991 to 1998, first appointed by President George Bush.[3][6] Brown's work on the board led to Congress providing funds for breast and cervical cancer screening for low-income and uninsured women.[4]
Brown spread the word about breast cancer prevention in local settings and also on The Joan Rivers Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show.[1] She also testified at a United States Senate Cancer Coalition forum about breast cancer.[4]
Brown died on March 3, 2013, aged 63, in Oklahoma City from complications from ovarian cancer.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d McDonough, Megan (2013-03-09). "Zora Brown dies at 63; advocate for breast-cancer awareness". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
- ^ a b Carter, Diana Louise (1995-02-17). "A Survivor Brings Her Message of Breast Cancer Awareness to Black Women". Democrat and Chronicle. p. 23. Retrieved 2020-07-08 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Webster, Raymond B. (1999). African American Firsts in Science & Technology. Detroit: Gale Group. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-7876-3876-4. OCLC 41238505 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b c d e Jones, Ayana (5 March 2013). "Zora Brown, cancer awareness advocate". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ "Cancer Survivor Working to Reduce Breast Cancer Death". The Tyler Courier-Times. 1999-04-18. p. 46. Retrieved 2020-07-08 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kelly, Nellie (23 October 2001). "Fighting breast cancer to win". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
