TriVita Celebrates Women’s History Month

Celebrating women’s contributions to health

Not so long ago, women were barred and discouraged from pursuing careers in medicine. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting some true pioneers: These women faced social barriers, discrimination and other hardships, yet persevered to make great strides in medicine and healthcare. Not only did they change their world, they created a new world of possibilities for future generations of women.

A reformer in the field of nursing
Florence Nightingale
Against the wishes of her parents, Florence Nightingale chose to become a nurse, a profession which was considered “un-ladylike.” When the Crimean War broke out in 1854, stories about conditions at the front prompted Nightingale to volunteer for service. Through her efforts, sanitary conditions at the hospitals improved greatly and casualties decreased.

Upon her return to England, Nightingale established a school of nursing; her greatest contribution was to make nursing a respectable profession. Her 1860 book, “Notes on Nursing,” is still in print today. An accomplished statistician, she is also credited with inventing the pie chart.

Source: TriVita VitaJournal March 2009 pg 20.