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Photograph of Doctor Justina L. Ford holding a baby while standing on a porch, 2825 High St., circa 1935. (Denver Public Library/Western History Collection)

Esteban L. Hernandez

Jan. 22, 2021, 5:00 a.m.

The Black American West Museum in Denver will commemorate Dr. Justina Ford’s 150th birthday on Friday with a two-hour online broadcast with birthday greetings and interviews with some of her former patients

Denver’s first licensed Black woman doctor came to be known as the “baby doctor,” a nickname she earned by helping deliver more than 7,000 babies. She was known for providing services to Black and Latino families, who often faced discrimination at local hospitals, from her office in Five Points. Ford was denied membership to the Colorado Medical Society due to racism.

She died in 1952 at age 81.

Friday’s celebration will include a reenactment of Dr. Ford’s only known interview and the first public display of a handwritten letter to the Colorado Medical Society showing proof she helped delivered thousands of babies in her 50-year career.

The broadcast will take place at the Zion Baptist Church in Denver. The showcase begins at noon and will be streamed at bawmhc.org, the Denver Community Media channel (Comcast Channel 56, 57, 881 HD) and LambePR’s Facebook page.

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