ASUA brings former U.S. Surgeon General to campus

Arizona Daily Wildcat Joycelyn Elders

The Associated Students Speakers Board is sponsoring the event, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Student Union Arizona Ballroom.

Elders was the first African American and the first woman to become surgeon general when she took over in 1993, and was also considered one of the most controversial by many right-wing and religious groups. Conservatives attacked Elders for her opinions on issues like youth smoking and condom distribution in high school, as well as her idea to begin AIDS education in kindergarten classes.

Pressure increased for President Clinton after Elders said in December 1994 that masturbation should be advocated as a deterrent to teenage sexual promiscuity.

Elders spent time in the Army between 1953 and 1956, then went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1960 with a specialty in pediatrics.

In 1987, Clinton, then the governor of Arkansas, appointed Elders director of the Arkansas Department of Health, where she was the first African American and the first woman to hold the position.

Jamie Kanter, director of the ASUA Speakers Board, invited Elders to speak at the University of Arizona.

ASUA is paying Elders $10,000 for her appearance, plus covering her expenses, Kanter said.

Elders is expected to speak about the future of health care for about one hour. After the speech, she will field questions from the audience.