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Zora Kramer Brown

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Zora Kramer Brown
Born
Elzora Mae Brown

(1949-03-20)March 20, 1949
Holdenville, Oklahoma, US
DiedMarch 3, 2013(2013-03-03) (aged 63)
Oklahoma City, US
Alma materOklahoma State University
Known forBreast cancer awareness

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.

Biography

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Brown 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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b c d e Jones, Ayana (5 March 2013). "Zora Brown, cancer awareness advocate". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  5. ^ "Cancer Survivor Working to Reduce Breast Cancer Death". The Tyler Courier-Times. 1999-04-18. p. 46. Retrieved 2020-07-08 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Kelly, Nellie (23 October 2001). "Fighting breast cancer to win". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
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