Antonia Novello

Born Aug. 23, 1944 in Puerto Rico

1st woman and the 1st Hispanic to become US Surgeon General. 

After serving as a pediatrician, she chose to work in public health with the National Institute of Health.

Worked to serve the most vulnerable, focusing on young people and public health issues like drugs, smoking and alcohol abuse.

Dedicated to helping women, children and minority populations get access to medical care, she even helped draft legislation for organ transplantation.

Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.