UVA Celebrates Women in Science and Medicine: A Century of Progress and Gender Equity

At the University of Virginia (UVA), women in science and medicine recently celebrated a significant milestone, marking their century-long contributions to the university’s schools of science and medicine. On Thursday, the achievements and progress made by women at UVA were celebrated, starting from the beginning 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, 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 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 and provided a platform for discussion and reflection on the progress made over the past century.