Brenda Armstrong
Dr. Brenda Armstrong was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on January 19, 1949. From a young age, Armstrong understood the importance of racial equity in medicine. Denied access to the segregated hospital in Rocky Mount, Armstrong’s mother was forced to deliver her final pregnancy at home, where the baby, Armstrong’s younger brother, sustained a cerebral hemorrhage that rendered him physically disabled. Later, “seeing the kinds of issues he had, in terms of obtaining appropriate care, impacted heavily on her.” Indeed, Armstrong cites these early experiences as the reason why she became a physician and dedicated her life to the pursuit of health equity. Armstrong enrolled as an undergraduate student at Duke University in 1966. Described as “somewhat of a rabble rouser,” Armstrong helped establish the Afro-American Society during her time at Duke. As the organization’s President, she advocated for several initiatives and policies in pursuit of racial equity. Frustrated by inaction on the part of university administration, Armstrong and other members of the Afro-American Society occupied the Allen Building to force action toward racial justice. In Armstrong’s words, the takeover forced Duke to “make sweeping changes in the way it taught, thought, treated, and incorporated all of its students into a larger world.” After graduating from Duke, Armstrong attended the St. Louis University School of Medicine, specializing in pediatric cardiology. In 1979, Dr. Armstrong returned to Duke as a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. In 1996, she became Associate Dean of Admissions for the School of Medicine, a position she held for over twenty years. With “active efforts to recruit from underrepresented schools and to recruit underrepresented students,” Armstrong admitted some of the most diverse classes in the history of the School of Medicine. Outside of her work as a physician and administrator, Armstrong was heavily involved with several community organizations, most notably the Durham Striders and St. Titus Episcopal Church.
Interview 1: Frank Davis
After service in the United States Air Force, Mr. Frank Davis pursued a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He then worked at IBM and received a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from NC State University. Mr. Davis co-founded the Durham Striders Youth Association in 1977 with Herman Graham and Ralph Bullock. He now serves as the organization’s Head Coach and President. Mr. Davis met Dr. Armstrong when she became involved with the Durham Striders in 1981. They worked closely together for 37 years.
Full Interview Audio:
Interview 1 Topic Log
00:12 Introduction 00:31 Interviewee introduction; founding of the Durham Striders Youth Association; stated mission and focus; notable alumni 04:11 Expansion on mission of the Durham Striders; focus on children from under resourced communities 05:19 Dual focus on athletics and academics; more notable alumni 08:49 Continued involvement of student athletes through middle and high school; combating parental pressure; practice schedule 11:42 Davis’s current involvement with the Striders; organization’s relationship with Duke 14:51 Russell Blunt; Blunt’s influence on Armstrong and the coaching philosophy of the Striders; Russell E. Blunt Invitational 20:10 Armstrong’s childhood in Rocky Mount, North Carolina 21:10 Armstrong’s involvement with the Striders; role as coach of 12-and-under age group; team physicals; role as team physician 27:03 Armstrong’s interactions with parents; role as chaperone on overnight trips; Striders’ newsletter; team transportation; promoting healthy eating habits 34:33 Armstrong’s role in fundraising for the Striders; involvement in St. Titus Episcopal Church 37:43 Armstrong’s role in the Allen Building Takeover; her work as Associate Dean of Admissions; more notable alumni of the Durham Striders 41:11 Armstrong’s mentor-mentee relationships within the Striders 46:22 Armstrong’s reputation among Striders’ athletes; more notable alumni 51:45 Armstrong’s relationship with Striders’ parents; continued involvement through her illness; team trip to Miami 56:59 Coaching philosophy; academic and athletic scholarships for alumni of the Striders; connections to coaches across the United States 1:01:41 Armstrong’s legacy within the Durham Striders 1:05:04 Armstrong’s community involvement in Durham; St. Titus Episcopal Church; commitment to the Durham Striders; guest speeches at other universities 1:08:07 Fundraiser for the Durham Striders hosted by Duke medical students 1:11:33 Memories of Dr. Armstrong; team trips
Link to Full Interview TranscriptInterview 2: Delbert Wigfall
Delbert Wigfall, MD, is a Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephrology. During his tenure in the Duke University School of Medicine, he served as Associate Dean of Medical Education and co-directed the Multicultural Resource Center from its inception until his retirement. Dr.Wigfall met Dr. Armstrong in the Department of Pediatrics at Duke, and the two became colleagues and close friends.
Full Interview Audio:
Interview 2 Topic Log
00:02 Introduction 00:26 Introduction and explanation of relationship to Dr. Armstrong 01:06 Armstrong’s childhood in Rocky Mount; early influences and experiences that drew her to medicine 02:10 Armstrong’s involvement in the Durham community (St. Titus Episcopal Church, Durham Striders Youth Association, Student National Medical Association, etc.) 04:14 Impact of the dearth of Black physicians and medical professionals 05:49 Armstrong’s work as Associate Dean of Admissions; recruiting students from underrepresented communities and backgrounds 07:22 On-site visits conducted by Armstrong to increase interest in science and medicine; Summer Enrichment Program to expose students to advanced coursework and clinical practice 10:23 Armstrong’s mentor-mentee relationships formed through the Summer Enrichment Program 10:50 Armstrong’s outreach to younger students through the activities of the Student National Medical Association 12:20 HPREP Program 13:49 Armstrong’s work with the Student National Medical Association as a mentor and faculty advisor 15:03 Armstrong’s role in building community for recruited students; creation of the Multicultural Resource Center 20:09 Specifics on the Summer Enrichment Program and its eventual termination at Duke 23:42 Armstrong’s impact on the core values of the School of Medicine; role in creating space for open dialogue 25:37 Armstrong’s experiences as an undergraduate student at Duke and their impact on her work in admissions; Allen Building Takeover 27:23 “Pushback” to equity initiatives 30:18 Race and gender-based barriers faced by Armstrong and other Black faculty; creation of a Black community within the School of Medicine 31:52 Armstrong’s allies within Duke faculty and administration; national support 33:45 Armstrong’s influence on colleagues at other institutions; campus visits 34:30 Armstrong’s role in the medical school admissions process; conducting interviews of candidates 37:28 Armstrong’s reputation among her patients; practice of holistic care 39:32 More on Armstrong’s Durham community involvement (Links, Jack and Jill, etc.) 40:45 Armstrong’s vision for the path to institutional equity at Duke; overcoming individual differences 41:53 Armstrong’s impact on Duke 43:48 Armstrong’s interdisciplinary work within Duke 45:20 Armstrong’s involvement in health policy; hypertension advocacy 46:57 Dr. Wigfall’s memories of Dr. Armstrong; Armstrong as a friend and neighbor; Armstrong’s possessions 49:08 Honoring Dr. Armstrong’s Legacy through the Duke Centennial Celebration
Link to Full Interview Transcript