Allie Francis Saxon, one of Emory University’s first Black graduates, dies at 95

June 4, 2025

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Melanie Kieve

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Allie Francis Saxon of Atlanta, a pioneering nurse educator and one of the first Black graduates of Emory University, died on May 25 at the age of 95.

Saxon made history in the early 1960s when she and colleague Verdelle Bellamy became the first regular, full-time Black students at Emory, enrolling at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. Their graduation in 1963 marked a pivotal moment in the University’s integration and the broader movement for educational equality in the South.

The Southern Regional Council — a civil rights organization committed to racial equality — recruited Saxon to pursue graduate studies at Emory as she was working as a nurse educator in Atlanta, having already earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Tuskegee University. The Council’s president, Dorothy Rogers Tilly, collaborated with School of Nursing Dean Ada Fort to support the women’s applications.

Despite the challenges of the era, Saxon described her time at Emory as relatively smooth. She credited the School of Nursing’s leadership for fostering a supportive environment and focused on her education and goals. After earning a Master of Nursing degree, she taught at Winston-Salem State College in North Carolina. She later joined the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and played a key role in implementing Medicare policies nationwide.

“Allie Francis Saxon holds a profound place in the history of Emory and our school,” said Linda McCauley, PhD, RN, FAAN, FRCN, dean of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. “She broke barriers with quiet strength and unwavering purpose, opening doors for future generations. Today, more than 60 percent of our students are students of color — a testament to the path she helped forge. Her legacy lives on in every nurse leader, shaped by her courage, vision and love for the nursing profession.”

About the School of Nursing

As one of the nation’s top nursing schools, the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University is committed to educating visionary nurse leaders and scholars. Ranked the No. 1 master’s, No. 1 BSN, and No. 8 DNP programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the school offers undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and non-degree programs. It brings together cutting-edge resources, distinguished faculty, top clinical experiences and access to leading health care partners to shape the future of nursing and improve health and well-being. Learn more at on the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing website.

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