Ditchdigger's Daughter: A Black Family's Astonishing Success Story - Hardcover

Thornton, Yvonne S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1559722711 ISBN 13: 9781559722711

Publisher: Citadel, 1994

Synopsis

Incorporating her father's common sense and folk wisdom, a biography by a New Jersey doctor tells how her parents, who held down multiple jobs and transmitted strong values to their six daughters, inspired them to succeed. 40,000 first printing. Tour. "I Love You Better Than I Love Life..."
 
            ...Donald Thorntontold his six daughters. "But I'm not always gonna be around to lookafter you, and no man's gonna come along and offer to take care of youbecause you ain't light-skinned. That's why you gotta be able to lookafter yourselves. And for that you gotta be smart." 
             TheDitchdigger's Daughters is an inspiring portrait by a loving daughter of a father whose pervasive common sense, folk wisdom, and untutored butright-on insights gave his children their road map to a better life. Itis the story of a man who dared to dream that his black daughters wouldsomeday become doctors--and who guided them to achieve the seeminglyimpossible goals he set for them. 
           From the tenements of East Harlem to the footlights of the Apollo Theatre to the halls of an Ivy Leaguemedical school, Dr. Yvonne Thornton has written a family biography thatis as moving as it is inspiring. Here is the story of a poor blackfather and his unimaginable dream of seeing all six of his daughtersbecome doctors; of the wisdom and guidance that gave his girls thestrength to keep striving; and of the remarkable way that each one ofthem transcended race, color, and gender to fulfill the promise of theAmerican Dream. 

About this title

About the Author

Yvonne S. Thornton, MD, MPH, is an Emeritus professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a double Board-certified specialist in obstetrics, gynecology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine (high risk obstetrics).  She has personally delivered more than 5,000 babies in her career and has overseen or supervised more than 12,000deliveries.  She is a former Vice-Chair of a department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and is the mother of two children.
            She is the author of SOMETHING TO PROVE, her celebrated memoir about how she ascended to the top of her field as a physician by drawing on her father s teachings. Despite bias and setbacks, she became the first African-American woman in the country to be Board-certified in the obstetrical sub-specialty of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Dismissed and shunned by her peers for entering the male-dominated world of academic medicine, Dr. Thornton relied on her father's life lessons, which taught her to be strong and rise above adversity. Through intelligence, determination, and hard work, Dr.Yvonne Thornton overcame the odds to reach the pinnacle of her profession. and Inside Information for Women, a health guide that answers many questions women have about their bodies from someone who's been on both sides of the stirrups.              During her 45-year career in medicine, she has conducted research at The Rockefeller University,the National Institutes of Health Pregnancy Research Branch, National Naval Medical Center, Naval Medical Research Institute, and New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. She is the author or co-author of more than a dozen scientific papers. She also serves as a reviewer for the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.             She received her medical (M. D.) degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and her Master of Public Health (M. P. H.) in Health Policy and Management from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.

From AudioFile

This is the heartwarming and inspirational true story of a father, a ditchdigger by trade, who would have done anything humanly possible to help his six daughters succeed in life. He knew that, as women of color, their paths would be difficult, so he found a unique way of providing them with excellent educations. Fran Washington warms the heart with colorful storytelling. Her character transitions are flawless and bring each personality to life. Her portrayal of Donald, the devoted father, is especially vivid, charming the listener with his old-fashioned adages and insights. B.J.P. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About this edition

• Publisher: Citadel
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 1559722711
• ISBN 13: 9781559722711
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 1