LaRae Herring is born to parents Raymond Herring and Lillian Brown on October 21, 1941, in Palo Alto, California.

LaRae graduates from Cubberly High School in Palo Alto, CA. Marries Warren Washington, Monterey, CA.

Graduates from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy.

The September 1972 issue of Ebony magazine features LaRae in an article titled “Med School Mom.” The piece celebrates her ability to balance the demands of being a housewife and mother while attending medical school— a rare accomplishment at a time when few women, and even fewer Black women, pursued medical degrees.

Becomes the first African American woman to earn a medical degree from the University of Colorado Medical School. Earns the degree while serving as the Vice President of her class and raising four children.

The Colorado Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights publishes its report Access to the Medical Profession in Colorado by Minorities and Women. The report notes the underrepresentation of minorities and women in the medical profession in the early 1970’s and makes recommendations to address the issue. In 1972, LaRae was only the second Black woman ever admitted to the University of Colorado’s Medical School, and one of just 18 women and two mothers in her class of 127 students.

Completes her Residency at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine – Occupational Medicine.

Earns a Master of Public Health from Columbia University.