William Still: An African American Abolitionist

Chesta Dillard Dean (1885- )

Chesta Dillard Dean (1885- ), born in Danville, Virginia,  was afforded a solid educational foundation starting early in her life. After completing her early studies, she received training at St. Paul’s School (Lawrenceville, VA), Brown University (Providence, RI), and finally graduated in 1911 from Temple University with a degree in Pharmacy. Upon graduating, Chesta Dillard Dean became a pharmacist in Philadelphia and purchased a drug store. This was a tremendous accomplishment for Dean who, in addition to being one of only three practicing Black pharmacists in Philadelphia at the time, was also the only Black female pharmacist to own the store from which she operated.

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