100 Years of Women’s Contributions in Science and Medicine at UVA: Celebrating a Milestone and Advocating for Gender Equity

At the University of Virginia (UVA), women in Science and Medicine recently marked a significant milestone as they have been contributing to UVA’s schools of science and medicine for a century. On Thursday, the achievements and progress made by women at the university were celebrated, with a historical walking tour of UVA’s Grounds that focused on women’s contributions, as well as a panel discussion with women leaders from UVA Health.

The journey began in January 1920 when the Board of Visitors granted permission for women to enter graduate programs and professional schools at UVA. 17 women were admitted that year, with four of them enrolling in the school of medicine. Fast forward to the present day, and the majority of the UVA School of Medicine Class of 2027 is made up of women. A remarkable 53% of the class is female, highlighting the strides that women have made in the field of medicine at UVA.

Dr. Alyssa Cole Mixon and Dr. Kathryn Xixis are excited to see the continued impact of women at the university. They both hope for increased gender equity at UVA and across the nation, as well as a higher representation of women in leadership roles. The celebratory event on Thursday served not only to honor the achievements of women in science and medicine at UVA but also provided a platform for discussion and reflection on the progress made over the past century.