I am Antonia Novello. I was the first female and first Hispanic to be appointed surgeon general of the United States. As a former pediatrician, my concern was on the health of young children. As leader of the 6,500 employees of the Public Health Service, I directed the nation's attention to AIDS infected children, the dangers of smoking, and teenage drinking. I was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, August 23, (1944 ).My parents were Antonio Coello and Ana …showed first 75 words of 685 total…

…showed last 75 words of 685 total…I criticized the tobacco industry and lectured the public on the dangers of smoking. I was particularly disturbed by rising lung cancer rates among females. AIDS and its long term effect on children was an especially important issue for me. I stated to Tonya E. Wolford of Hispanic "I hope that being the first woman and minority surgeon general enables me to reach many individuals with my message of empowerment for women, children, and minorities."