5 African-American Women to Watch in 2011
Dr. Yvonne S. Thornton: Dr. Thornton wasn’t raised on much. What she was raised on was her father’s wisdom, which taught her that “with hard work, determination and education, you can achieve anything.”
You may be familiar with the 1995 best-selling memoir The Ditchdigger’s Daughters (adapted into a movie and translated into 19 languages), which Thorton wrote as a tribute to her parents. Thornton was the first black woman to be board-certified in High-Risk obstetrics and to be accepted into The New York Obstetrical Society. She’s also listed in “Who’s Who in America,” “Who’s Who in the World,” “The Best Doctors – New York Metro Area,” and as one of New York Magazine’s “Top Ten Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists in New York City.”
Thornton’s second memoir, Something to Prove: A Daughter’s Journey to Fulfill a Father’s Legacy continues from the first, chronicling her struggle to live up to her father’s expectations, as well as the pressure of balancing a medical career with managing a home and raising two children, both of whom are very accomplished in their own lives. What drove her to write the second book were her admirers pleas to understand how to “have it all”—how to be an accomplished business woman and raise a highly respectable family. Yep, Dr. Thortnon really does have it all, but what’s more is that she’s kind enough to reach out to those who are eager to improve their lives and the lives of their children.
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Post a CommentAlso, its nice listening to Dr. Thornton’s latest book “Something to Prove” on NPR- National Public Radio… Her son Woody has just entered Columbia University (his parents’ alma mater) and she’s talking about her personal experience of the 9/11 saga. Amazing story…
Shame that there aren’t more comments HERE… than what you see when Michael Vick gets a new endorsement or Tiger Woods fires his caddie or better yet — Serena Williams is going to use her special card to play in the U.S. Open!!!
Thank you! Thank you for the inpiriring story of your life and how you worked to reach your goals. My mom gave me your first book, “The Ditchdigger’s Daughters” a few months before she passed and I initially fell in love with it. My desire and plan is to become a doctor. I’ve come to a pause in my life and I’m trying to find my will power, strength, determination, and motivation that was lost after my mom passed. Your book I’ve picked up again now and its helping me to see that life’s not easy but it does go on and work must be done. You have to and must continue to fight and strive for the things you desire. I’m just in need of a little guidance and support since my main support system is now gone. If ever possible, I would love to speak with you in some form. I have your book next to me now as I sit at work in this health department, not working to my full potential but yet doing what I do best, serve the patient to the fullest!! Your fathers words are my mom’s voice I miss hearing. I plan to highlight his words and reference them in times of need.God Bess you and your family!!
Amber Joy:
How can I get in touch with you? I have just read your post and am anxious to speak with you. My condolences over the loss of your Mom. I am here for you. Just contact me via my email: doctorthornton@gmail.com and perhaps we can set up a time to actually converse. Until then, Peace.
Dr. Thornton,
You are my inspiration…..I can relate to you which I have never related to anyone before. I read both books in 2 days….I saw you on cspan book review and I cried and I cried, never have I met someone that even touched my life so. Thank you so much for your hard work and following your father’s and mother’s advice. you were one of the fortunate ones that had parents that cared about an education.
Thanks, I did not know about Ms. Thornton, that’s great! Let’s face it people, Halle Berry is the most beautiful woman in the world and that’s it. America loves beautiful people and people with money…she is not that talented! she’s just nice to look at – so is Jennifer Lopez (but she’s Latina) she has less talent than Halle – makes you wonder how the heck they got this far?
Dr. Thornton is awesome!
OPRA IS BEEN MY MENTOR SINCE I WAS 21
YOU ROCK !
Mrs. Obama is an inspiration to many women, especially women of color. May God bless her.
congrats to the many beautiful women of color
Very inspiational!
Thanks for acknowledging these strong beautiful black women. They are all very inspiational.
I think acknowledging the accomplishments of “Women of Color” is a wonderful thing for many reasons. For so long we have been inundated with what other women are doing, how they look, what they are wearing, etc. There are too many women of color who are just as beautiful (many times more so), accomplishing great things to “Uplift the Race.” I would like to see more woman outside the sphere of entertainment receive recognition. As an aside, I totally agree with a previous poster regarding Halle Berry; I don’t think people want to admit it, but Ms. Berry does have a lot of emotional issues. When she made the statement regarding her daughter not being “multiracial,” I was somewhat confused. Unless I have thrown that definition out of my memory bank, when one enters into an intimate relationship with someone of the opposite sex that result in the creation of life, the child born of the union would be multiracial. That’s not a problem for me or most of us who know our history, the majority of people of color are “mixed” with something anyway.
While like most of the ladies commenting on this article I can agree that 3 of the 5 women selected are exceptional selections, I think that Halle Berry and Jennifer Hudson are still growning in their own rights. It was nice to read about the accomplishments of the others because they have benefited other people with their success.
However, I would love to see women like Kathy Hughes and Camille Cosby added to your list next year or at any time.
I think that an exceptional woman of any color should be featured each month to keep women motivated and show that we are strong movers and shakers in this world. I think you should look at women in corporations and not just the entertainment industry.
Always been a fan of Halle Berry, and all of these women are amazing.
It’s a breath of fresh air to see recognition outside of arts and entertainment! All women are well rounded
WOW!!! Powerful Black Women!!
I wouldn’t put Halle Berry in this group. Everyone else was good. Halle has some emotional issues. She’s not being a good example with her child custody issues.
great compilation
I absolutely adore Jennifer Hudson
Your list was good except for Berry and Hudson, they havent contributed to nearly half as the other selections.