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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.
LETTER TO MEMBERS OF
ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN VETERINARIANS FOUNDATION
June 2007
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