The Museum of Durham History will present a panel discussion honoring the legacy of Joyce Clayton Thorpe Nichols (1940-2012), the first female Physician Assistant (PA) in the United States and a tireless advocate for fair housing, healthcare, and social justice.
This fireside chat will take place on April 12, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Durham County Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St., as part of “Library Fest 2025: North Carolina Edition,” in collaboration with the Durham Library Foundation.
The panel will be moderated by Mayme Webb Bledsoe, assistant vice president of Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership & Community Development and chair of the Durham Housing Authority. Panelists will include members of Nichols’ family, who will share personal stories, reflections, and insights into her extraordinary life and impact.
The discussion will explore key moments in Nichols’ life, including:
- Fair Housing Advocacy: In 1965, Nichols challenged the Durham Housing Authority after facing an unjust eviction in a legal battle that resulted in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
- Breaking Barriers in Medicine: In 1970, Nichols became the first woman to graduate from Duke University’s pioneering PA program, paving the way for future generations.
- Community Health Care Leadership: Nichols played a pivotal role in establishing rural clinics in North Carolina and expanding access at Lincoln Community Health Center.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit modh.org or contact info@modh.org.