Dr. Mary Lane Cobb
Dublin Core
Title
Dr. Mary Lane Cobb
Description
Dr. Mary Lane Cobb has been a pioneer in the area of medicine and family planning. She knew while still a student at Central High in Louisville, Kentucky that she wanted to pursue medicine as a career. She attended Indiana University and then went on to Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania where she was the only African-American in her medical school class.
After graduation from medical school, Dr. Cobb moved to Westchester where she completed her internship and residency at Grasslands Hospital in Valhalla (now the Westchester Medical Center) c 1954-57. She then moved into private practice in Tarrytown as a general practioner and became particularly interested in women's health and family planning.
Seeing the need and desire for contraceptive services Dr. Lane went to be trained at the Margaret Sanger Research Bureau (later part of Planned Parenthood Federation of America). Dr. Lane Cobb went on to work for the Margaret Sanger Research Bureau, becoming Clinical Director of Contraceptive Services.
During this time she was invited to present before the U.S. Senate (Select Subcommittee on Small Business) to talk about on the effectiveness and safety of the pill.
Dr. Lane Cobb continued her remarkable career by becoming the first African-American woman named Director of a Department of the Westchester County Government when she was named Director of Women and Youth Health Services in 1977.
Although technically retired since 1992, Dr. Lane Cobb continues to tirelessly serve the community, including working as co-chair of the Westchester Women's Health Partnership.
After graduation from medical school, Dr. Cobb moved to Westchester where she completed her internship and residency at Grasslands Hospital in Valhalla (now the Westchester Medical Center) c 1954-57. She then moved into private practice in Tarrytown as a general practioner and became particularly interested in women's health and family planning.
Seeing the need and desire for contraceptive services Dr. Lane went to be trained at the Margaret Sanger Research Bureau (later part of Planned Parenthood Federation of America). Dr. Lane Cobb went on to work for the Margaret Sanger Research Bureau, becoming Clinical Director of Contraceptive Services.
During this time she was invited to present before the U.S. Senate (Select Subcommittee on Small Business) to talk about on the effectiveness and safety of the pill.
Dr. Lane Cobb continued her remarkable career by becoming the first African-American woman named Director of a Department of the Westchester County Government when she was named Director of Women and Youth Health Services in 1977.
Although technically retired since 1992, Dr. Lane Cobb continues to tirelessly serve the community, including working as co-chair of the Westchester Women's Health Partnership.
Collection Items
Mary Lane with her father David and brother Hugh at their home in Louisville, Kentucky, c1946.
Photo circa 1946 while Mary was a student at Central High School in Louisville, Ky. L to R: Mary's Father David, Mary and her brother Hugh. Her father had been stationed in Hawaii during WWII.
Mary Lane. Commencement photo of Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, June 10, 1954.
Mary Lane's graduating class from Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, June 10, 1954.
Mary Lane Cobb. Internship and residency at Grasslands Hospital, c1956.
Photo of class taken after medical school at Grasslands Hospital (now Westchester Medical Center) in Valhalla during Mary Lane's general rotation internship and obstetrics residency, c 1956.
Dr. Mary Lane Cobb, Clinical Director of Contraception Services of the Margaret Sanger Research Bureau, with Fellows and Staff, c1967-1973.
Dr. Mary Lane Cobb, Clinical Director of Contraception Services of the Margaret Sanger Research Bureau, with Fellows and Staff, c1967-1973.
Interview with Dr. Mary Lane Cobb
An interview with Dr. Mary Lane Cobb.
Dr. Mary Lane Cobb's graduating class from Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania at their 50th Reunion, May 2004.
Dr. Mary Lane Cobb's graduating class from Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania at their 50th Reunion, May 2004.
Letter from Dr. Mary Lane Cobb to her classmates on their 50th reunion from Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, May 2004.
Letter from Dr. Mary Lane Cobb to her classmates on their 50th reunion from Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, May 2004.
Mary Lane. Senior year photo from Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1954.
Mary Lane. Senior year photo from Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1954.
Mary and James Cobb on their wedding day, June 21, 1959.
Mary and James Cobb on their wedding day, June 21, 1959.