1923 - 1992
After earning a bachelor of science degree at the Tuskegee Institute, Dr. Alfreda Johnson Webb enrolled at the Tuskegee Institute College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1949, she became one of the first* Black women to graduate from veterinary school in the United States, thus becoming one of the first Black women licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the country and join Women’s Veterinary Association.
Dr. Johnson Webb decided to continue her education, and she enrolled at Michigan State University in 1950 to earn an M.S. in anatomy.
Dr. Johnson Webb remained at the Tuskegee Institute where she taught anatomy until 1959, completing her tenure there as an Associate Professor. She then served as a professor of biology at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&T) from 1959-1978. During her time at NC A&T, she was a member of the planning committee which founded the School of Veterinary Medicine of North Carolina State University. In 1971, she became the first Black woman in the North Carolina General Assembly, serving on many committees including serving as the Chairperson of Minority Affairs.
*Dr. Jane Hinton also received her DVM in 1949.
Source: Michigan Humane, Black History Month in Animal Welfare – Dr. Alfreda Johnson Webb. 2021.