Create the “New Girls’ Network”: Why You Should Keep up with Other Women in Medicine



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April 24, 2013

Create the “New Girls’ Network”: Why You Should Keep up with Other Women in Medicine

Bemoaning the “old boys’ club” can’t change the fact that for centuries, men have dominated medicine. That kind of handicap makes cracking the glass ceiling in the mere 30 years since women entered the profession in appreciable numbers nearly impossible. Significant challenges remain and limit the investment women physicians have made in their careers!

So instead of trying to get into the “club”, women physicians must create their own networks, accelerate the movement of women physicians into leadership, and promote other women as leaders. Being present is insufficient; being proactive is mandatory. To accomplish this goal, knowing what other women in medicine are doing is helpful. Then join together and help one another succeed.

This spring, WMDR will post a calendar of events for women physicians (and share it in this monthly newsletter). Many meetings are local, so travel doesn’t have to be a barrier, but a weekend away, communing with other women physicians, is also a great way to recharge your batteries.

To whet your appetite, here are some upcoming events that you don’t want to miss:

Fourth International Career Symposium for Women In Surgery, June 6-8, San Francisco, California.

American Medical Association, Women Physician’s Congress Annual Meeting and Scientific Session of Giambalvo Awards, June 15, Chicago, Il.

University of Arizona: Phoenix College of Medicine, First Annual Group on Women in Medicine and Sciences, May 15, Phoenix, Arizona.

Third Professional Development Conference for Women In Medicine, May 9, New Haven, Connecticut.

Please let us know about your events so we can get the word out!

— Linda Brodsky & the WMDR Team


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Quote of the Month

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

–Helen Keller

Our Monthly Poll
This month:
Do you believe that organizations and conferences for women in medicine are helpful to promoting the advancement of women physicians? Or are they unhelpful distractions?

Take our monthly poll.

Headlines for Women in Medicine

Read and Get Up to Speed:

The first women physicians, though small in number, recognized the need to congregate and share. Almost 100 years ago, the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) was formed. They had a journal until just recently. Here is a link to one of the early descriptions in their journal to how these pioneers organized:

Root, E. Editorial. Women’s Medical Journal.

For a history of women in medicine and a contrary view to women’s medical organizations, please refer to this fascinating and informative piece:

Morantz-Sanchez, R. Sympathy and Science: Women Physicians in American Science.