Sophia B. Jones


Sophia B. Jones was a Canadian-born American medical doctor, founder of the nursing program at Spelman College. She was the first black woman to graduate from the University of Michigan Medical School, and the first black faculty member at Spelman.

Early life

Sophia Bethena Jones was born in Chatham, Ontario, the daughter of James Monroe Jones and Emily F. Francis Jones. Her father, who was a gunsmith by trade, was born in North Carolina and was one of the first black graduates of Oberlin College. In the year Sophia was born, he was involved with John Brown's abolition activities in Canada.
Her sisters Anna H. Jones and Fredericka F. Jones both became teachers.
Sophia B. Jones attended the University of Michigan Medical School, finishing in 1885 as the school's first black female graduate.

Career

Sophia B. Jones became the first black faculty member at Spelman College when she was hired in 1885. While at Spelman, she organized the school's nurses training program.
After her time at Spelman, Jones worked at Wilberforce University, and practiced medicine in St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Kansas City. She also earned a patent in 1890 for a "Barrel trunk."

Personal life

Late in life, Jones retired with her sister Anna to Monrovia, California, where they ran an orange grove. Sophia and Anna both died in 1932; Sophia B. Jones was 75 years old.

Legacy

The University of Michigan Medical School offers a lectureship in infectious diseases named for Sophia B. Jones. There is also a Fitzbutler Jones Alumni Society, established by black alumni in 1997, and honoring her and the school's first black graduate, William Henry Fitzbutler. There's also a conference room at Michigan named for Dr. Jones.