Content originally published on 2/27/2024 by Tyler S. Sampognaro at UW Medicine, Harborview Medical Center and 2/29/2024 by Ed Kromer of THE WHOLE U at the University of Washington.
This year’s national theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” honoring and recognizing women who work to eliminate bias and discrimination from our lives and institutions.
While applauding the achievements and progress animated by both famous and everyday champions of equity, Women’s History Month also reminds us that gender bias still exists, women remain underrepresented in nearly all arenas of power and influence, and women’s rights are human rights that need to be constantly fought for at home and around the world.
Moreover, women’s empowerment in achieving health equity for themselves, while a fundamental right and an ongoing movement, still lags behind men.
“Women are fierce — we break barriers, run companies, make scientific discoveries, raise families, and lift each other up. But the fact is, discriminatory policies blocked women from fully participating in our country for generations. It led to disparities in wages, representation and opportunities that we are still tackling.” – Deb Haaland, U.S. Secretary of the Interior (The first Indigenous person to serve as Secretary of State)
Despite progress, *women and girls still face barriers to full and equal participation. Gender pay gaps, healthcare disparities, and discrimination and bias persist. And with the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court decision, reproductive rights have been narrowed. Significant work still needs to be done to achieve equity both in the U.S. and across the globe.
*In this article, “women” and “girls” refers to all gender-expansive people: cisgender, trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, genderqueer and anyone woman- or girl-identified. Learn more about these terms on Right as Rain.
In the UW Medicine community, women — approximately 67% of our organization — are making profound contributions. Whether a scientist leading the effort to create a breast cancer vaccine, or an interpreter creating and facilitating a wellness group for Somali women, or a radiologist leading training in the unique imaging needs of transgender and gender-diverse patients, extraordinary achievements are taking place every day across UW Medicine campuses. UW Medicine is committed to creating a workplace that focuses on gender equity and diversity.
Women make history on stages big and small by lifting each other up
At the University of Washington, women have been making history since the University was founded. Throughout March, which is designated as Women’s History Month, we have a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect on the extraordinary depth and breadth of what the women of the UW have achieved, on campus and off, in the sciences and the arts, as changemakers and leaders, and at every scale. Read more from UW President Ana Mari Cauce’s Blog >>
We recognize that individuals experience multiple intersectional forms of oppression or discrimination based on their various identities. Intersectionality, defined by scholar Kimberlè Crenshaw, reminds us that gender discrimination can be compounded by other forms of marginalization, including (but not limited to) race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity and age. We all can seek ways to amplify voices and advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion. The Office of Healthcare Equity is a resource for further training on intersectionality in society and our workplace.
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For more information, resources & events celebrating Women’s History Month, visit >>
THE WHOLE U – University of Washington
THE HUDDLE – UW Medicine
Attend a (virtual or in-person) event celebrating International Women’s Day >> internationalwomensday.com
Watch & Share >> A Dialogue About Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, presented by The Black Women’s History Committee of the National Women’s History Alliance
Source: THE HUDDLE at UW Medicine, UW Presidential Blog, and International Women’s Day (IWD)