Born: 1897, Canada
Died: 1976
Country most active: United States
Also known as: Jessie Katherine Gideon
The following is republished with permission from the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail.
Jessie Garnett (1897-1976), Boston’s first African American woman dentist, graduated from Tufts Dental School in 1919 and practiced until 1969 from her home office.
Jessie Garnett (1897-1976) was a pioneering figure in dentistry, recognized as the first African American woman dentist in Boston. After earning her dental degree from Tufts Dental School in 1919, where she was nicknamed “Haze” for her speed on the basketball court, Garnett established a dental practice behind her home. She provided crucial dental care to her community for five decades until arthritis compelled her retirement in 1969. Garnett’s career was marked by her dedication to breaking racial and gender barriers in the medical profession. She and her husband, Robert, had one son and one daughter, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and excellence.