October 12 National Women Pharmacist Day, October is American Pharmacist Month, and Dr. Soliman chose the number 12 in honor of Elizabeth Greenleaf. Ms. Greenleaf was the first woman pharmacist in America and had 12 children. As a Pharmacist and mom, Dr. Soliman found Mrs. Greenleaf to be inspiring and therefore chose October 12 as the day to honor Women Pharmacist. Recently Dr. Soliman wrote an article about being a Pharmacist and a Mom which you can read by clicking the following link: http://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/are-you-a-pharmacist-and-a-mom.
Another pioneer is as the first female pharmacist in the United States. After graduating from the Woman’s Medical College of Philadelphia in 1857, Susan Hayhurst served on the College’s staff and ran its pharmaceutical department for many years. In 1883, at the age of 63, Susan Hayhurst became the first woman to graduate from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy.
Ella Stewart (born in Stringtown, West Virginia). Stewart wished to attend the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Pharmacy but was met with discrimination when she was told admissions were closed. She persisted however, and although segregated from other students, she graduated with high marks passing her state exam in 1916, to become the first licensed African-American female pharmacist in Pennsylvania and one of the earliest practicing African-American female pharmacists in the country.
Mary Euler, PharmD, FAPhA, Professor and Associate Dean for Student Services at the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy noted that in the early 1900’s, many pharmacy programs opened with all men; a woman in the program would have been a rarity. During World War II, a temporary increase of woman in the profession occurred as men were not as available. In the 30 years that Dr. Euler has been in pharmacy academia, she has seen a gradual shift from 60% men/40% women to now about 40% men/60% women. The success of women pharmacists today can in many ways be credited to the women in our past. These women were instrumental in not only increasing female pharmacist representation but also with advancing the profession.
