March is Women’s History Month 

In the U.S., the month of March is a time to honor the contributions and achievements of women* throughout history, reflect on the past and present struggle to secure equal rights, and promote gender equity and inclusion.  

This year’s national theme is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” This theme celebrates the collective strength, equality, and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership, shaping the minds and futures of all generations. 

*When we use “women” and “girls” in this post, we recognize that there is a spectrum of gender identities. 

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.   

Women at UW Medicine 

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 professor who has led on issues of tribal public health and was recently awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. 2025 Distinguished Service Award, extraordinary achievements are taking place every day across UW Medicine campuses.  

Recognizing Intersectionality 

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. The Office of Healthcare Equity is a resource for further training on intersectionality in society and our workplace.  

Resources

Learn more about some of the prominent influencers in women’s history by visiting the resources below. 

• Read about Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive an MD from a U.S. medical school.  
• Read about Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first African American woman to receive an MD.  
• Celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8.  
• Read a timeline of Women’s History in Seattle and influential women in the Pacific Northwest.  
• Read biographies of important women throughout U.S. history from Time and the National Women’s History Museum.  
• Read about LGBTQ+ women who have made history. 
• Read about inspiring Native American women both past and present.  
• Find women-owned small businesses in your area.