Benjy Frances Brooks
Born in Lewisville, Texas, she was the first woman to become a board certified pediatric surgeon in Texas. At four years old she knew she wanted to be a doctor when she operated on her sister’s doll with a pair of scissors. She also learned to read by age four and had graduated from college by age 19. After teaching science for four years, she decided to enter medical school and specialize in pediatrics. Even though she had a rigorous teaching and surgical schedule, she continued to research congenital defects, burn treatment, spleen reparation, and the prevention of hepatitis after she began practicing. Grateful parents of one of her patients created The Benjy Brooks Foundation for Children, which has been credited with greatly advancing the surgical care of young children in Texas.