Uncovering Vivien Thomas: A Medical Pioneer
“The Joy in you is the joy in life.” – June Newton
Book Description:
Vivien Thomas was a notable black hero who made a distinguishable mark in this country, and frankly, the world over. He grew up poor. As an adult, he worked as a janitor, yet got noticed by a white surgeon who saw his curiosity, skill, and intelligence. That vision proved successful, as Vivien worked with the surgeon and became familiar with the condition of babies born with Blue Baby Syndrome, and emerged as a gem to prominent surgeons around the country!
June Williams-Newton, born in Trinidad and Tobago, is a mother, wife, and retired United States Air Force veteran. She is also the grandmother to two smart, talented, and awe-inspiring “grandcuties!”
She loves to meditate daily and have her matcha green tea in a ceremonial meditative “locus” for enlightenment! This brings her from great “head” to great “body”. As she sees it, God gave her one body, and she shows appreciation by working out regularly and eating wisely.
Post-military, she has been a Personal Fitness Trainer, Zumba Instructor, and Substitute Teacher. But it was while teaching in elementary schools that she discovered a majority of biographies about Black people were of athletes and historical figures. Primarily figures who were mostly familiar to the public, like Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. June knew there were many more Black figures like Vivien Thomas that readers needed to learn about.
After seeing an inspiring movie, she realized there was a remarkable Black figure to make known. It featured the impressive life and profession of Vivien Thomas, which drove June to do her part in exposing the great contributions he made to this world, more specifically, the medical industry.
