As the leader of the Black Women Lead project, I spend considerable time researching Black women who have made an impact on Boston. Our project is currently searching for the next 200 women to honor.
Typically, we focus on women who broke barriers as women, women of color, or Black women. We also highlight those who have something named after them, such as a building, park, playground, street or a scholarship. Simply being born here, attending college here, or spending a few years of one’s career here isn’t enough for recognition.
Our third criterion is reserved for women who have done something uniquely important for the Black community. This approach has worked well for us, but one woman stands out as someone we haven’t yet honored, even though she fully deserves it: Dr. Dorothy Celeste Ferebee.
Dr. Ferebee, an American obstetrician and civil rights activist, made groundbreaking contributions throughout her life, but her impact was largely felt outside Boston, so we haven’t yet included her. However, I believe that this is a significant oversight, and it’s time for Boston to recognize her achievements by naming something in her honor. Despite her accomplishments, I don’t believe anyone has named anything after her in Boston, a city that played a crucial role in her early education and career.
Born Dorothy Boulding into a prominent African American family in Norfolk, Virginia, she moved to Boston as a child. From 1904 to 1908, she attended Boston schools before transferring to The English High School, where she graduated at the top of her class in 1915. She then attended Simmons College, where she became a member of the Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and graduated in 1920. From there, she entered Tufts University School of Medicine, where she graduated in 1924, again among the top five in her class. Despite her excellent academic record, she faced discrimination when seeking internships. No white hospital in Boston would accept her, which led her to move to Washington, D.C., where she started her career.
After moving to Washington, Dr. Ferebee began her internship at Freedmen’s Hospital, a Black-owned and Black-staffed institution. She worked as an obstetrician and began advocating for contraception and sex education for women — topics that were highly controversial at the time. In 1925, she established her own medical clinic in an impoverished area of the city. She persuaded the trustees of Friendship House, a segregated medical center, to open an additional clinic for African Americans, which was later named Southeast Neighborhood House. She also founded the Southeast Neighborhood Society, which provided a playground and daycare for the children of working mothers. She joined the faculty of Howard University Medical School that same year and married Claude Thurston Ferebee, a professor at Howard University College of Dentistry, in 1930.
One of Dr. Ferebee’s most significant contributions was her leadership of the Mississippi Health Project from 1935 to 1942. Sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, this initiative provided essential healthcare to Black sharecroppers in the Jim Crow South. Under her guidance, the project immunized over 15,000 children against smallpox and diphtheria, an extraordinary achievement for a volunteer-run effort. Beyond healthcare, she became a leader in the civil rights movement, succeeding Mary McLeod Bethune as the second president of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) in 1949. Her work focused on healthcare, education, and fighting discrimination in various sectors, including housing, employment, and the military.
Dr. Ferebee’s career was not just about providing healthcare; it was about addressing systemic inequities affecting African Americans, particularly women and children. Her medical expertise became a platform for advancing civil rights. She represented the U.S. at international conferences, worked with UNICEF, and advocated for social justice across the globe. Her contributions were felt not only in America but internationally.
Yet, despite her monumental achievements, Boston has not honored Dr. Ferebee in the way she deserves. Naming a building, school, or park after her would not only commemorate her legacy but also acknowledge the overlooked contributions of Black women in Boston’s history. Too often, the stories of pioneering Black women like Dr. Ferebee are marginalized or forgotten, overshadowed by those whose accomplishments are more visible in mainstream narratives.
Honoring Dr. Ferebee in this way would also serve as an educational tool. Boston is a city that prides itself on its role in education, healthcare, and civil rights. Dr. Ferebee’s life intersects with all of these areas. A public tribute in her name would offer the community an opportunity to learn about her remarkable life and the broader history of African American women’s contributions to medicine and civil rights. It would inspire young people, particularly girls of color, to pursue careers in fields where they are underrepresented and to understand the importance of using their skills for social justice.
In a city like Boston, which has a complex racial history, naming something after Dr. Ferebee would be a meaningful step toward acknowledging the contributions of Black women. It would celebrate her resilience, brilliance, and unyielding commitment to equality. Dr. Ferebee’s work paved the way for future generations of Black women in medicine and civil rights, and Boston should proudly recognize her as one of its own.
Dr. Dorothy Celeste Ferebee exemplified what it means to be a trailblazer and public servant. She dedicated her life to improving the health and lives of marginalized communities, breaking barriers along the way. Boston played a pivotal role in shaping her journey, and it is only fitting that the city honors her with a permanent tribute. The time has come for Boston to ensure that Dr. Ferebee’s name and legacy are preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
Ed Gaskin is Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets and founder of Sunday Celebrations
