Women's History Month: Celebrating Dr. Justina Ford

Dr. Justina Ford faced discrimination so, for 50 years, she practiced medicine at home and delivered 7,000 babies

Justina Laurena Ford: January 22, 1871 – October 14, 1952

Dr. Justina Ford was the first licensed black female doctor in Denver. Upon graduating from the Hering Medical College in Chicago in 1899, and a brief stint in an Alabama hospital where she received her medical license, she came to Denver in 1902. At that time, African Americans were barred from working in hospitals or joining the Colorado Medical Association so, for 50 years, she practiced medicine at her Denver Five Points home where she served mainly immigrants, people of color and other underserved patients who were routinely turned away from hospitals.

Year after year, Ford continued to fight for recognition from the medical establishment. Her persistence paid off and, in a long-overdue move, the Colorado Medical Society finally recognized Ford in 1950, at age 81.

Dr. Ford left an impressive legacy. In 1988, her home in Five Points, Denver, was converted into the Black American West Museum and Heritage Center. One room is now fully devoted to her life and work.

In 1985, Ford was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame  and in 1989 was named a “Medical Pioneer of Colorado” by the Colorado Medical Society. In 1998, a sculpture of Ford holding a baby, made by Jess E. DuBois, was erected outside her house.