A Century of Progress: Celebrating Women’s Contributions to Science and Medicine at the University of Virginia

At the University of Virginia (UVA), women in Science and Medicine have recently celebrated a significant milestone, marking a century of active contributions to the university’s schools of science and medicine. On Thursday, the achievements and progress made by women at UVA were celebrated, highlighting the remarkable strides that women have made in the field of medicine at UVA.

The journey began in January 1920 when the Board of Visitors granted permission for women to enter graduate programs and professional schools at UVA. Seventeen women were admitted that year, with four of them enrolling in the school of medicine. Fast forward to present day, and it is inspiring to see that the majority of the UVA School of Medicine Class of 2027 is made up of women. A remarkable 53% of the class is female, underscoring the incredible progress that has been made in recent years.

Dr. Alyssa Cole Mixon and Dr. Kathryn Xixis are excited to see this continued impact at UVA and hope for increased gender equity across the nation as well as a higher representation of women in leadership roles. They believe that it is essential for more women to be recognized and given opportunities in science and medicine fields. The celebratory event on Thursday featured 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. These activities served to honor the achievements of women in science and medicine at UVA while providing a platform for discussion and reflection on how far we have come over the past century.