2004 POINT SCHOLARS

Tonia Poteat

Emory University Rollins School of Public Health

Concentration: Public Health

Tonia was born in rural North Carolina to parents, both Christian fundamentalist ministers, who feel that any non-heterosexual relationship is evil. They frequently pray for her conversion to heterosexuality. Tonia has supported herself since leaving home at age 16. She has dedicated the last eight years to practicing LGBT, Women’s and HIV/AIDS medicine since graduating magna cum laude from Yale University and summa cum laude from Emory University’s Physician Assistant program. Tonia is attending Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health to secure the MPH degree she needs to become a leader in national and international LGBT, Women’s and HIV/AIDS health care.

In Tonia’s own words: “It is the very fight to push away from the margins that gives my life hope and meaning.”