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Lena Edwards was born in 1900 in Washington D.C. Here she is pictured outside her childhood home on Linden Street at the age of 5.

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Lena Edwards was born in 1900 in Washington D.C. Here she is pictured outside her childhood home on Linden Street at the age of 5.

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Lena was a restless child who credits her father for his firm hand in her upbringing. Her father worked at the post office, attended dental school at Howard University, and eventually opened up his dental practice in their home.  Below is her father, Dr. Thomas Edwards.

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Lena was a restless child who credits her father for his firm hand in her upbringing. Her father worked at the post office, attended dental school at Howard University, and eventually opened up his dental practice in their home.  Below is her father, Dr. Thomas Edwards.

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At age 12, Lena decided she was going to become a doctor. She finished high school in 1918 as the valedictorian and chose to attend Howard University, where her father was teaching in the Dental School. She graduated medical school in 1924 despite having disadvantages against her during the times: being a black woman and a Catholic. 

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At age 12, Lena decided she was going to become a doctor. She finished high school in 1918 as the valedictorian and chose to attend Howard University, where her father was teaching in the Dental School. She graduated medical school in 1924 despite having disadvantages against her during the times: being a black woman and a Catholic. 

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Lena married her classmate, Keith Madison, right after graduation.  They both relocated to Jersey City, NJ to open up their own practice.  Dr. Edwards' specialty was Obstetrics and Gynecology.  She stayed with the practice for 29 years during which time she had six children. 

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Lena married her classmate, Keith Madison, right after graduation.  They both relocated to Jersey City, NJ to open up their own practice.  Dr. Edwards' specialty was Obstetrics and Gynecology.  She stayed with the practice for 29 years during which time she had six children. 

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Over these years, Lena gained residency at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in Jersey City and sat for the National Boards in Obstetrics. She also taught at her alma mater and worked on behalf of the poor through the Urban League, the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, the Social Work Advisory Committee, and the Catholic International Council. She also served on the boards of a home for unwed mothers and a local maternal welfare organization.

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Over these years, Lena gained residency at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in Jersey City and sat for the National Boards in Obstetrics. She also taught at her alma mater and worked on behalf of the poor through the Urban League, the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, the Social Work Advisory Committee, and the Catholic International Council. She also served on the boards of a home for unwed mothers and a local maternal welfare organization.

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Lena became a Lay Franciscan and took a vow of voluntary poverty. In 1961, she decided to become a missionary and went to St. Joseph's Mission in Hereford, Texas. A year later, she founded the 25-bed Our Lady of Guadalupe Maternity Clinic for 5,000 migrant workers. 

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Lena became a Lay Franciscan and took a vow of voluntary poverty. In 1961, she decided to become a missionary and went to St. Joseph's Mission in Hereford, Texas. A year later, she founded the 25-bed Our Lady of Guadalupe Maternity Clinic for 5,000 migrant workers. 

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For more information on Lena's work in Texas, click on the magazine cover from the February 1962 issue of Ebony magazine at: 

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For more information on Lena's work in Texas, click on the magazine cover from the February 1962 issue of Ebony magazine at: 

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EBONY is the flagship magazine of Johnson Publishing. Founded in 1945 by John H. Johnson, it still maintains the highest global circulation of any African American-focused magazine.

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EBONY is the flagship magazine of Johnson Publishing. Founded in 1945 by John H. Johnson, it still maintains the highest global circulation of any African American-focused magazine.

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For this work, she was nominated for the nation's highest civilian award --The Presidential Medal of Freedom.  It was awarded to her in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson in a White House ceremony.  

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For this work, she was nominated for the nation's highest civilian award --The Presidential Medal of Freedom.  It was awarded to her in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson in a White House ceremony.  

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Due to health issues, she reluctantly left her mission work in Texas and moved back to New Jersey. She then decided to give up her practice in 1970 and moved to Lakewood in 1973. In her "retirement", Lena did not want to be idle. She became an active member in a local church and was involved in many senior citizen organizations in Ocean County.  

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Due to health issues, she reluctantly left her mission work in Texas and moved back to New Jersey. She then decided to give up her practice in 1970 and moved to Lakewood in 1973. In her "retirement", Lena did not want to be idle. She became an active member in a local church and was involved in many senior citizen organizations in Ocean County.  

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Throughout her 70's and 80's, Lena did not slow down. She continued her humanitarian efforts with a focus on senior health care in Ocean County. She was an advocate for senior wellness and spoke several times a month to various community organizations. Lena received lots of press coverage and awards for her tireless  efforts. 

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Throughout her 70's and 80's, Lena did not slow down. She continued her humanitarian efforts with a focus on senior health care in Ocean County. She was an advocate for senior wellness and spoke several times a month to various community organizations. Lena received lots of press coverage and awards for her tireless  efforts. 

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Lena's legacy spans many decades. Throughout her career and humanitarian work, she received many awards and honors. Besides receiving the 1964 Presidential Freedom medal, she received 14 honorary Humanity degrees and was the second Black physician to be elected to the International College of Surgeons.

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Lena's legacy spans many decades. Throughout her career and humanitarian work, she received many awards and honors. Besides receiving the 1964 Presidential Freedom medal, she received 14 honorary Humanity degrees and was the second Black physician to be elected to the International College of Surgeons.

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Some other noteworthy awards she received include: the Woman Doctor of the Year award from the American Medical Women's Association (1955), the Bronze Medal from the American Cancer Society for heading the NJ Task Force to Conquer Uterine Cancer (1979), the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged award, and the Andrus award from the AARP (1986), 

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Some other noteworthy awards she received include: the Woman Doctor of the Year award from the American Medical Women's Association (1955), the Bronze Medal from the American Cancer Society for heading the NJ Task Force to Conquer Uterine Cancer (1979), the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged award, and the Andrus award from the AARP (1986), 

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"Medicine, Motherhood and Mercy: The Story of a Black Woman Doctor" written by Sister M. Anthony Scally details Dr. Lena Edwards' life and lists the many other awards and honors she received. The book was published in 1979.

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"Medicine, Motherhood and Mercy: The Story of a Black Woman Doctor" written by Sister M. Anthony Scally details Dr. Lena Edwards' life and lists the many other awards and honors she received. The book was published in 1979.

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In her later years, Lena enjoyed life with her family nearby. She surrounded herself with her six children, 18  grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. 

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In her later years, Lena enjoyed life with her family nearby. She surrounded herself with her six children, 18  grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. 

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Lena remained active in her community and her church until her death at the age of 86 in December of 1986. 

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Lena remained active in her community and her church until her death at the age of 86 in December of 1986. 

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Many local newspaper articles were written about her life, achievements, and her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others. 

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Many local newspaper articles were written about her life, achievements, and her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others. 

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In 2011, Jersey City established the Dr. Lena Edwards Academy Charter School for students kindergarten through 8th grade. Jersey City also dedicated a recreational park in her name as well as an affordable housing apartment complex.

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In 2011, Jersey City established the Dr. Lena Edwards Academy Charter School for students kindergarten through 8th grade. Jersey City also dedicated a recreational park in her name as well as an affordable housing apartment complex.

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Lena Edwards made a difference in the lives of others in every place she lived and worked. She dedicated her life to God, medicine, and her family despite many obstacles that she had to overcome. Her contributions to medicine and her Lakewood community have never been forgotten. 

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Lena Edwards made a difference in the lives of others in every place she lived and worked. She dedicated her life to God, medicine, and her family despite many obstacles that she had to overcome. Her contributions to medicine and her Lakewood community have never been forgotten. 

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All pictures and information were sourced from various newspaper articles, online articles, and the 1979 published book held in the Ocean County Library, Lakewood branch Historical Collection. 

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All pictures and information were sourced from various newspaper articles, online articles, and the 1979 published book held in the Ocean County Library, Lakewood branch Historical Collection. 