Brown was born Elzora Mae Brown on March 20, 1949, in Holdenville, Oklahoma.[1] She was raised in Oklahoma City.[2] Brown earned her bachelors degree from Oklahoma State University in 1969.[3] Brown first worked as a secretary at the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association and then in the lobbying office at Ford Motor Company.[4] In 1976, she started working as an administrative assistant in the White House on women's programs, where she met Betty Ford.[4]
Brown was diagnosed with breast cancer first in 1981 and later in 1997.[4] As one of several women in her family who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, Brown created the Breast Cancer Resource Committee (BCRC) in 1989.[5] BCRC helps promote awareness about breast cancer to black women.[2] Black women had higher rates of mortality from breast cancer than other demographics.[1]
Brown was the first African-American woman appointed to the National Cancer Advisory Board, where she served from 1991 to 1998, first appointed by President George Bush.[3][6] Brown's work on the board led to Congress providing funds for breast and cervical cancer screening for low-income and uninsured women.[4]
Brown spread the word about breast cancer prevention in local settings and also on The Joan Rivers Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show.[1] She also testified at a United States Senate Cancer Coalition forum about breast cancer.[4]
Brown died on March 3, 2013, aged 63, in Oklahoma City from complications from ovarian cancer.[1]
