Byllye Avery

A healthcare activist for 50 years, Avery has left an indelible mark on the field, particularly women's health.

In the 1970s, Avery's dedication led to the establishment of two centers in Florida, the Gainesville Women's Health Center, an abortion clinic, and Birthplace, a birthing center.

Her contributions as the founder of the Black Women's Health Imperative and a co-founder of Raising Women's Voices for the Health Care We Need have been monumental.

Avery's work has not gone unnoticed. Her contributions were recognized on a national platform when she received the prestigious MacArthur Genius Award in 1989. Her advocacy was further highlighted in PBS's Makers: Women Who Make America in 2013.

She has been the recipient of numerous awards and has been awarded nine honorary doctoral degrees, a testament to her influence and respect in the field. She continues to speak and advocate for Reproductive Justice.

She and her wife of 34 years, Ngina Lythcott, share a home in Provincetown with two black-and-white cats, Aziza and Usiku.