Zora Kramer Brown

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

(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

Biography

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 in Oklahoma City from complications from ovarian cancer.[1]

References
  1. 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. 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. 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. Jones, Ayana. "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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