By: Sara Hussey – ACMS Executive Director
Happy National Women’s Day! This day, which began as an important date of acknowledgment in South Africa, has extended globally to celebrate the strong and courageous women who fight for equality. National Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the spirit of womanhood, and this year, the ACMS is excited to celebrate National Women’s Day with the launch of our ACMS Women in Healthcare Committee at our inaugural event at the Longue Vue Club. Female physicians will gather for cocktails, dining, networking, and connection at this sold-out event. We’ll also start the conversation about the goals of this committee and how we can elevate and empower the female leaders of the healthcare profession.
I have asked our ACMS Women in Healthcare Committee co-chairs, Dr. Anu Anand and Dr. Tiffany DuMont, to give us their thoughts on what National Women’s Day means to them. But first, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share the important history of “National Women’s Day” and how the message of this day has spread globally to inspire all women.
History of National Women’s Day
National Women’s Day in South Africa is a powerful day for equal rights. Women have experienced gender oppression throughout the world at different periods throughout history. In modern times, the fight against the oppression of women has been going on for more than a century.
While women’s rights have suffered worldwide, women in South Africa have fought for more freedoms, especially during Apartheid. Gender discrimination was extremely present under these laws, particularly for black women.
August 9, 1956 saw a protest march in Pretoria, South Africa, with more than 20,000 women of various races marching for rights and against the unfair rule of South Africa’s Apartheid government. The march consisted of delivering more than 14,000 petitions to the government buildings and a 30 minute protest where the women stood in silence.
The first National Women’s Day was celebrated on August 9, 1995. In 2006, the march was reenacted for its 50th anniversary, with many of the 1956 march veterans participating.
National Women’s Day in South Africa draws attention to many of the important issues that women in Africa still face – such as domestic violence, discrimination and harassment in the workplace, equal pay, education for girls, and more.
Source: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/national-womens-day/
Thoughts from our Co-Chairs
Tiffany DuMont, DO
National Women’s Day allows us to reflect on the past, recognizing the trailblazing women who came before us and inspiring us to follow in their footsteps. The Women in Healthcare Committee is a wonderful platform to highlight the accomplishments of women, promote career development, and encourage women to take career leaps and step into leadership roles. If it were not for the revolutionary women before us none of this would have been possible, this committee allows our generation to make the future for women in medicine even brighter.
Anu Anand, MD
The future of female physicians looks bright. The number of women entering medical school has been steadily increasing in recent years, and women now make up more than half of all medical students. This trend is likely to continue, and it means that the future of healthcare will be increasingly shaped by women. Female Physicians are already making significant contributions to the healthcare industry, and they are poised to make even greater contributions in the years to come.
The ACMS Women in Healthcare Committee is a valuable resource for women in the healthcare industry. The committee provides opportunities for female physicians to connect with each other, to learn from each other, and to advocate for their interests.
National Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women in healthcare and to look forward to the future. With continued support and advocacy, women will continue to make significant contributions to the healthcare industry and improve the health of people around the world.
Get Involved
If you feel inspired after reading this post, we encourage you to join the Women in Healthcare Committee OR watch for upcoming events from this committee.