Dr Dorothy Lavinia Brown[1] (January 7, 1914 – June 13, 2004[2]), also known as "Dr. D.",[3] was an African-American surgeon, legislator, and teacher.

[6] There were multiple factors that inspired Brown to pursue a career in surgery: the care she received during her tonsillectomy, and a performance that she watched that made her want to do something to make other African Americans proud.

The principal at Troy High School found out that Brown was homeless, and he arranged for her to be taken in by Lola and Samuel Wesley Redmon.

She was aided by a Methodist woman, of the Division of Christian Service, to be admitted into the American College of Surgeons, where she earned a BA degree in 1941.

[3] After graduating in 1948 in the top third of her class,[5] Brown became a resident at Hubbard Hospital of Meharry in 1949, despite local opposition to training female surgeons.

[3] During her career as a politician, Brown also became involved in the passing of the Negro History Act, which required public schools in Tennessee to "conduct special programs during Negro History Week to recognize accomplishments made by African Americans".

[13] In 1968, Brown tried to obtain a seat in the Tennessee Senate, but lost in part due to her support for abortion laws.

[5][15] After losing in her run for a seat in the Tennessee Senate, Brown served on the Joint Committee on Opportunities for Women in Medicine, sponsored by the American Medical Association.

[5] Brown was a member of the board of trustees at Bennett College and of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

[15] Because Dorothy Lavinia Brown had accomplished so much in her career as a surgeon, she was a very sought-after public speaker, both nationally and internationally.