Alfreda Johnson Webb
February 21, 1923 – 14 October 1992
Dr. Webb was a distinguished professor of biology and a pioneering doctor of veterinary medicine. She achieved the distinction of being the first Black woman licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the United States. Here’s a reformatted version of her biography:
Early Life and Education:
- Alfreda Johnson Webb was born on February 21, 1923, in Mobile, Alabama, to parents Cattie Lee Avant Johnson and Bibb Garden Johnson.
- She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tuskegee Institute in 1943 and went on to achieve her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 1949 from the Tuskegee Institute, which is now known as Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine.
- Notably, Webb holds the distinction of being one of the first two African-American women to graduate from a school of veterinary medicine in the United States in 1949.
- Her pursuit of academic excellence continued as she embarked on Faculty Study Leave from Tuskegee to obtain a master’s degree (M.S. in anatomy) from Michigan State University in 1950.
Professional Veterinary Positions:
- Alfreda Webb commenced her illustrious career as an instructor in anatomy at Tuskegee in 1950, where she remained until 1959, steadily rising to the rank of associate professor.
- Subsequently, she relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina, where she assumed the role of professor of biology at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NC A&T) from 1959 to 1978. Additionally, she served as professor and coordinator of Laboratory Animal Science from 1977 until her retirement.
- Her extensive research areas encompassed histology, cytology, and embryology.
- Notably, during her tenure at NC A&T in the late 1970s, Webb contributed to the planning committee for the establishment of the school of veterinary medicine in North Carolina, which was founded at North Carolina State University in 1981.
Political and Government Positions:
- Alfreda Webb made significant contributions in the realm of politics, particularly within the Democratic Party in North Carolina. Her historic achievements include becoming the first African-American woman to serve in the North Carolina General Assembly in 1972, following her appointment in 1971 by Governor Robert W. Scott.
- She also held the role of Chairman of Minority Affairs for the North Carolina State Democratic Executive Committee and served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1976. Furthermore, she presided over the Democratic Women of North Carolina.
- Webb actively participated in important councils and committees, including the North Carolina Council on Sickle Cell Syndrome and the Board of the NC Center for Public Policy Research.
- She chose to retire from her position as state minority representative in 1978 to pursue a candidacy for the state House in Guilford County.
Family Life:
- Alfreda Webb was married to the esteemed agronomist, Dr. Burleigh Webb. Together, they were blessed with three children, consisting of two sons and one daughter.
- Her life journey came to a close on October 14, 1992, at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
Honors and Awards:
- In 1949, Webb achieved the distinction of becoming the first Black member of the Women’s Veterinary Association.
- She was a dedicated member of prestigious organizations including the American Association of Veterinary Anatomists, Sigma Xi, the Hayes-Taylor YMCA, and the Gamma Sigma Delta Honorary Society.
- Webb received esteemed recognitions such as the Alpha Kappa Alpha Award for Political Excellence and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Tuskegee University in 1972.
- In 1999, she was honored with induction into the NC A&T Agriculture Hall of Fame.
- The enduring legacy of Alfreda Webb’s contributions to education and diversity is reflected in the establishment of the Dr. Alfreda Johnson Webb Scholarship Award by the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. This $50,000 endowed scholarship covers educational expenses for two students from underrepresented groups and was made possible by contributions from the North Carolina Minority Veterinarians Association and the R.B. Terry Charitable Foundation.
- To further commemorate her dedication, the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine established House Webb, one of its four houses. House Webb bears a dog on its crest, symbolizing Webb’s commitment to companion and lab animals, and its motto embodies her values of fairness, equity, and justice.