Commentary
“Change is needed not only to inspire the women of our profession, but also to ensure that the culture of the profession moves forward. We must reject the dogma that has challenged the changing gender proportions of veterinary medicine and work to represent what is actually going on at the grass roots,” writes Simon R. Platt, BVM&S, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology), Diplomate ECVN, MRCVS and editor-in-chief of Today’s Veterinary Practice in a recent editorial accompanying a feature on women’s equality in veterinary medicine.
This feature article may hold more value now since Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg died September 28. Her influences changed women’s rights law beginning in the 1970’s. Her passing is causing many to reflect on the loss of a tireless and resolute champion of justice. Tenacious, she was a demure firebrand who in her 80s became a legal, cultural and feminist icon. Ginsburg was a consistent pioneer for gender equality throughout her distinguished career.
Women’s rights are an essential part of the overall human rights agenda, trained on the equal dignity and ability to live in freedom all people should enjoy.”- Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Supreme Court Justice (March 15, 1933 – September 18, 2020)
Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, August 26, 2020. Link. Women make up the majority of practicing veterinarians (61.9 percent) and overwhelming majority of veterinary nurses/ technicians (89.3 percent) in the United States. While women are seeing more leadership opportunities, they have not reached a proportionate level to represent the number of women working in the profession. A lack of representation at leadership levels creates inequality for women at all levels.
INSIGHTS: Personally, I’ve had the privilege of working with and alongside countless highly skilled, intelligent and talented industry women . . . and men. Regardless of gender or position, animal health pros can learn a lot about the dynamics in our industry from TVP’s set of resources provided in this feature.
Side note: Throughout my review of the TVP feature, I was reminded of the lyrics and melody of Helen Ready’s 1971 pop music hit, I Am Woman < link >.