Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Women's History Month

UI Health Celebrates Women’s History Month

At UI Health, we are committed to advancing gender inclusion and celebrating the achievements of women in healthcare. We recognize women's challenges in the industry and are dedicated to creating pathways for advancement and leadership. This month, let us honor the past, inform the present, and inspire the future by acknowledging the pioneering women who have blazed trails in healthcare and continue to do so today.

The origin of Women’s History Month traces back to 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28, which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982, as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress passed joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” By 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress designated March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Since then, each president has issued annual proclamations designating March as Women’s History Month, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of American women.

We also recognize Equal Pay Day on March 12th, 2024 during this month. This day serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing pay disparity between men and women. Symbolically, it illustrates how much more time a woman would have to work—from January 1, 2023, to March 12, 2024—to be paid the same yearly full-time salary as a man working from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. On average, women earn only 84 cents for every dollar made by men in full-time positions, with the gap increasing to 78 cents for all earners, including part-time and seasonal workers.

In our healthcare industry, women make up nearly 80% of the workforce, demonstrating unparalleled commitment, compassion, and competence. However, despite their significant presence, women hold only about 20% of leadership positions within the field. This disparity highlights the ongoing journey towards achieving gender equality and the importance of fostering an environment where women’s contributions are recognized, and their leadership potential is fully realized.

This Women's History Month, UI Health proudly celebrates the invaluable contributions of women to healthcare. We invite our staff, patients, and community to join us in reflecting on the progress made and the work that still needs to be done to create a more equal and inclusive society. Together, let's strive to create more workplaces and communities where individuals feel valued and respected, regardless of their gender identity.

Archives

Read more about the achievements and contributions of women in our community throughout the years.

• Woman Physicians Who Changed Our Field
• Women's History Month 2022
• Women's History Month 2023