The
Association for Women Veterinarians
Foundation began in 1947 as the Women’s
Veterinary Medical Association. A major objective of the
Association, as stated in the original constitution, is to “further
the mutual advancement of women veterinarians in the science of
veterinary medicine by bringing them together to share knowledge,
support and friendship.” This essence of the original purpose
persists in 2006, as indicated by the current AWVF vision,
“Advocating for women and promoting leadership in the veterinary
profession
In contrast to the relatively constant mission and vision, the
nature of the Association for Women Veterinarians has evolved over
time to reflect changes in the veterinary profession. Extensive
histories of the AWVF are available at the
Washington State University Libraries archive and in the
1997 AWVF book. “Our History of Women in Veterinary Medicine:
Gumption, Grace and Good Humor”. The timeline below highlights
significant organization change:
1947 :
Planning for an organization dedicated to women
veterinarians began when Dr. Mary Dunlap (MSU-33) sent letters to 37
female members of the American Veterinary Medical Association
eliciting enthusiasm for organizing meeting the “American Women’s
Veterinary Medical Association”. At that time, there were about 100
women veterinarians practicing in North America. The first meeting
was held during the 1947 AVMA convention in Cincinnati. At that
time, the association name was changed to the “Women’s Veterinary
Association (WVA)” to clarify its independence from the AVMA.
Five organizational objectives
for the WVA were defined:
1) To maintain the high standards of the Veterinary
profession
2) To act in an advisory capacity to women veterinarians
and new graduates
3) To discourage racial and religious prejudice within
the profession
4) To cooperate with other veterinary associations in
all matters approved by the WVA
5) To encourage attendance at veterinary meetings
6) To promote friendship and understanding among all
women veterinarians
1949 :
“Women’s Veterinary Association” becomes the “Women’s Veterinary
Medical Association (WVMA)”. The original five objectives are
replaced with a simple statement, “The objective of this
organization shall be to further interest of women veterinarians in
the science of veterinary medicine and to bring them together in
fraternal relationship”. These changes were made in response to
suggestions from the AVMA.
1977 :
WVMA meets at the AVMA convention in Atlanta, GA to celebrate the
association’s 30th Anniversary and to consider disbanding the
organization. Women constituted 16.8% of veterinary school graduates
between 1970-79 compared to only 2% between 1940-49. Bobbye
Chancellor was elected vice-President of the AVMA at the Atlanta
convention with the encouragement and support of the WVMA. Yet, the
membership rolls and bank account of the WVMA were shrinking. Some
felt that the Association had become obsolete in view of women’s
progress in the profession. After vigorous discussion, the executive
committee decided to rename and reorganize the WVMA as the
“Association for Women Veterinarians (AWV)”. The revival of the
Association included: increased focus on issues of concern to women
in the profession (work-life balance, maternity leave policies,
workplace health hazards, pay inequity, gender imbalance in the
leadership of the veterinary profession); increased recognition of
the accomplishments of women veterinarians and their advocates; and
intensified efforts to support veterinary student scholarships and
leadership development programs.
2005 :
The AWVF convened a strategic planning retreat to consider the
future for the organization. Again, the driving force for change was
the progress of women in the profession coupled with a lack of
growth in membership. The planning committee, which included past
and present officers, award winners and scholarship recipients,
recommended changing the vision and the structure of the
Association. The revised vision approved in 2005 is, “Advocating for
women in and promoting leadership in the veterinary profession”.
In addition, the AWVF decided to evolve from a membership-based organization to a foundation focused on partnership with national organizations to advocate for gender equity in veterinary profession. To this end, the AWVF played a significant role in promoting the establishment of a standing committee of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) concerned with Gender Issues, and the AWVF currently serves in an advisory capacity to this committee. In addition, the AWVF and the AAVMC now partner to create programming on gender and generational issues for the annual AVMA convention. The revised constitution of the AWVF is available to interested parties. The relationship between the AWVF and the AAVMC is diagrammed here.
For further information contact the AWVF Chairperson
Privacy policy : we do not release, sell or give away your email address to others.
© Association For Women Veterinarians Foundation
All Rights Reserved