SHELTON — It’s been a year of firsts for Dr. Camelia Lawrence.
Lawrence, a Shelton resident, was this past week named the 74th Barnum Festival ringmaster, making her the second woman, and first African American woman, in the 75-year history of the festival. She is also the first physician to be named ringmaster.
And this announcement comes only months after she was elected president of the Fairfield County Medical Association — the first Black woman to hold the title in the organization’s 231-year history.
“This is a unique opportunity to give back to the community,” said Lawrence, the director of breast surgery for the Hospital of Central Connecticut & Midstate Medical Center, who donned the traditional red jacket this week during a ceremony at the Hartford Health Care Amphitheater in Bridgeport.
“P.T. Barnum was so well known for his philanthropic efforts and community building. He was able to bring different people together in unity. I want to do the same,” she said.
Lawrence, the mother of two 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren Ashley, 10, and Nathan, 8, comes with some experience as she was the Fairfield County Juneteenth Parade’s 2022 grand marshal. She said she has stepped up to the Ringmaster challenge as part of her long commitment to helping the community.
“I’ve always been interested in community service and community building,” Lawrence said. “I love the longstanding commitment of the Barnum Festival to serving the Greater Bridgeport Community. I have already had overwhelming support from area leaders that inspired me to become the ringmaster. It’s a great honor.”
As Lawrence begins to plan for 2024, she wants to stress the opportunity to include all Greater Bridgeport cultures in the annual festival.
“P.T. Barnum’s circus tent was a big one, there was room for everyone and so let’s incorporate that idea. There’s plenty of room for all the cultures in our community to be included,” she said. “Let’s offer assistance to those who may need assistance getting into the tent.”
Charlie Carroll, the festival’s executive director, said he is looking forward to working with Lawrence, who plans to make health a focus of her yearlong duties.
“Dr. Lawrence is a well-respected member of the medical profession,” Carroll said. “She is involved in multiple organizations that touch every area of the community. She is a perfect fit for the role of ringmaster.”
Lawrence was also a surgeon for St. Vincent’s Medical Center during two different periods from 2005-2010 (Surgical Residency) and 2015-2018 (Attending Surgeon).
In addition, she was named the 100 Women of Color in Hartford and Southern Connecticut and the Southern Connecticut Black Chamber of Commerce Businesswoman of the Year Award.
“I want this to be an inclusive year,” Lawrence said about her Ringmaster role. “There are so many diverse cultures in this area … and I want to bring them all together and create a magical experience.
“There are so many (Black females) over the years that could have filled this role,” she added. “I am standing on the shoulders of those who paved the way … I welcome the opportunity. I want to make everyone who believed in me proud.”
