In honor of Women's History Month, we would like to take some time to honor the significant contributions of women to chiropractic medicine from its inception to today.
Dr. Mabel Heath Palmer, Palmer College of Chiropractic.
To start: did you know that chiropractic has its own First Lady? Dr. Mabel Heath Palmer, DC, graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa (the foundational chiropractic educational institution established by her father-in-law, D.D.--and Dr. Dave Brouillette's alma mater) in 1905. As both a chiropractor and a formally trained anatomist, Dr. Mabel went on to author Anatomy in 1918, the first ever anatomical textbook for chiropractic students. From there, Dr. Mabel became an icon at Palmer College, leading the school's anatomical instruction for forty years and founding the world's first chiropractic sorority, Sigma Phi Chi. Today, the Palmer Women's Institute honors Dr. Mabel's ceiling-shattering legacy by celebrating and promoting women and woman-driven initiatives in chiropractic.
Indeed, female chiropractic students and practitioners are on a very strong growth trajectory. Around 40% of chiropractic students today are women, compared to just 22% a decade ago (according to Palmer College and the Illinois Chiropractic Society). Though only about 20% of employed chiropractors today are women (according to the U.S. Department of Labor), the encouraging jump in female chiropractic students should lead to a rise in women practicing chiropractic soon.
Dr. Dionne McClain, Chair of the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
The chiropractic patient population is overall 60% female, and because of this, there is tremendous opportunity for female doctors. Dr. Dave concurs that female chiropractors can find professional success at least as quickly as men and encourages women to pursue chiropractic as a rewarding career! Once a profession almost entirely dominated by men, there are now more and more prominent female leaders in chiropractic. One of those leaders is Dr. Dionne McClain, DC, a Los Angeles-based chiropractor and current chair of the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners--the first ever African-American woman to serve there. Alongside Dr. McClain is Dr. Micheala Edwards, DC, of Kansas City, President of the American Black Chiropractic Association. Following in Dr. Mabel's footsteps, the powerful example and advocacy of Drs. McClain and Edwards show that chiropractic is up to the task of continuing to open doors to female DCs of all races and backgrounds.
Dr. Micheala Edwards, President of the American Black Chiropractic Association.