Recently, the University of Virginia (UVA) celebrated a significant milestone for women in science and medicine. On Thursday, the achievements and progress made by women at UVA were recognized and celebrated. The journey began in January 1920 when the Board of Visitors granted permission for women to enter graduate programs and professional schools at UVA. That year, 17 women were admitted, including four who enrolled in the school of medicine.
Fast forward to the present day, and it is remarkable to see how far women have come in the field of medicine at UVA. A remarkable 53% of the UVA School of Medicine Class of 2027 is made up of women, highlighting the strides that have been made in promoting gender equity in this area. Dr. Alyssa Cole Mixon and Dr. Kathryn Xixis are excited to see this continued impact at their alma mater and hope for even more progress towards gender equality in leadership roles across the nation.
To celebrate this achievement, a historical walking tour of UVA’s Grounds was held on Thursday, focusing on women’s contributions throughout the university’s history. This was followed by a panel discussion with women leaders from UVA Health, providing an opportunity for reflection on progress made over the past century.
The event served as a reminder that despite challenges faced by women in science and medicine throughout history, progress has been made at UVA – from its early days to its current leadership positions – and there is still much work to be done towards achieving gender equity across all fields of study.