It’s Not Easy to be a Pioneer: Thoughts on Women in Medicine

“It’s not easy to be a pioneer — but oh, is it fascinating!”

Those are the words of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female physician who was admitted to medical school and graduated in 1849 at the top of her class. Another female physician whose name you may not recognize is Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler who was the first Black female physician in the United States.

In 1860, there were only 300 women out of 54,543 physicians in the United States, and none were African American. Moreover, by 1920, there were only 65 African American women doctors in the United States. Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler completed her medical doctorate in 1864. It would take almost another 160 years from the time Crumpler enrolled in medical school before equal numbers of women and men entered medicine. Today, women represent 35% of all doctors, but Black women still only represent 2 percent.

It was serendipitous that this month’s Women in Medicine event took place on National Women Physicians Day - which coincides with Dr. Blackwell’s birthday. It was a great way to mark the day by sharing it with many amazing central Ohio women physicians. Collectively, we represented many specialties, multiple generations, and various backgrounds. However, we all share an appreciation for the women physicians who came before us and helped pave the way.

Unfortunately, just like in other professions there’s more work to be done. Women physicians are still more likely to take on the majority of familial responsibilities at home and sometimes at work. They are also up against gender bias and pay gaps in the workplace and if you are a physician of color you have the added implicit bias and racial bias. Perhaps that is why the CMA’s Women-in-Medicine Community has been a positive place for many of my local colleagues. We know we need to stay connected to help our mental well-being and to come up with solutions.

As for last night, our focus was simply to share each other’s company and enjoy some amazing chocolate. I can’t think of a sweeter way to celebrate! In addition, we were able to support a local female-owned business. If you want to try the chocolates, we sampled last night go to www.lohcally.com to order your own or go to North Market on the weekends.