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21-Year-Old Makes History As Youngest Black Woman Graduate Of Meharry Medical College

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May 31, 2022

She is a legacy Meharry Medical student!

A 21-year-old has made history as the youngest Black woman graduate of Meharry Medical College, The Grio reports.

Ever since Zindzi Thompson was a young girl, she knew she wanted to become a doctor, her parents Samuel and Machelle Thompson doing all they could to support their daughter’s dream.

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“She’s wanted to be a doctor since she was 3-years-old and we saw that she was a little bit different starting at three. So since she was three she’s worked towards this goal,” Machelle told reporters.

A key component of that support was ensuring Thompson got the best education possible. At just 13-years-old, the South Carolina native enrolled in college at Mary Baldwin University in Virginia, one of only 20 women selected to earn a bachelor’s degree through a gifted program. While her parents were elated, having their young teen daughter move five hours away from them was quite a challenge.

“A big part of this process has been letting her go and achieve her goal. And that’s been the hardest part. The academics for her and knowing that she was going to do it was easy, but not having your daughter through those years was the hard part,” Samuel explained. 

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Now Thompson, who started her medical school career at age 16, has graduated from Meharry Medical College, the latest in a family full of doctors who attended the historically Black medical school. She’s got one up on them though, making history as the youngest Black woman to ever graduate from the school.


“We always get, ‘What was the secret? What did you do? We stayed out of her way. Yes, we did.” said Thompson’s parents.

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Thompson spoke with reporters about the historic moment just one day before graduation, admitting that it was a dream come true and a huge milestone for her. 

“I have always wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember, there’s nothing else that I wanted to be…It’s definitely a mountain. I’m so, so excited. Tomorrow, I’ll be called a doctor – Dr. Thompson,” she said. 

Machelle said she’s proud of her daughter and knows their entire family lineage, past and present is as well. 

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“I think about my ancestors and everything that they went through, and then I look at my daughter, and it’s amazing. It truly is,” she said. 

Congratulations, Zindzi!!

Photo Courtesy of Meharry Medical College

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