Women chiropractors have made great contributions to the growth and stability of the profession. Jacalyn G. Buettner, DC, explores the past, present, and future of women in chiropractic

February 16, 1884, Harper’s Weekly featured a cartoon titled, “By All Means Commission the Ladies,” about women’s rights in an editorial by George William Curtis, the longtime editor and a devoted champion of women’s rights.

What if it had read, “By All Means Commission the Ladies Into Leadership Roles in Chiropractic?” What contemporary women come to mind when you think of women in leadership roles in our profession? Jean Moss, president of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Ontario, and Beatrice Hagen, past president of Logan College of Chiropractic, St Louis, are just a few who come quickly to mind.

The history of women in chiropractic begins in 1899 in DD Palmer’s first class of 15 students. Minora Paxson, DC, was one of the first female chiropractors to graduate. In 1904, she cofounded the American School of Chiropractic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and served as secretary and professor of gynecology and obstetrics, and lectured on physiology and symptomology. She coauthored the first chiropractic textbook, Modernized Chiropractic.¹

Chiropractic would not be what it is today had it not been for Mabel Health Palmer, DC—The First Lady of Chiropractic. She married BJ Palmer in 1904, became secretary at the Palmer Institute and Infirmary, graduated in 1905, and gave birth to David in 1906. Mabel was an inspired writer, and in 1918 authored Textbook on Anatomy.¹

Alma Arnold, DC, was the first chiropractor to practice in New York and was probably the first female DC to go to jail for the profession. She authored what may have been the first health book, Triangle of Health, for patients by a chiropractor in 1918. She may have been the first woman president of a chiropractic college. One of her most famous patients was Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross.²

The pioneer woman who has inspired me most is Sylva L. Ashworth, DC, Matriarch of the Cleveland Clan. A single parent of four children, chiropractic saved her life, so she dedicated it to the profession. She was the only woman ever elected president of a national chiropractic society in the United States, the Universal Chiropractors Association in 1926.¹

I was first introduced to chiropractic in 1980 while waitressing in Toledo, Ohio. When I approached a couple sitting at one of my tables, the gentleman said, “You have back problem.” I asked how he could tell. Jon Blossum, DC, replied, “It’s my job; I’m a chiropractor. I can tell by the way you walk you’re not in balance. Come to my office, I can help you.” I was not hopeful since I had seen several orthopedists and physical therapists who said I would have to learn to live with the pain.

One week later, I went to his office. He discovered something every doctor had missed. I had fractured the third lumbar vertebrae, and it had been there for more than 6 years. After a month of treatment, I could walk and work without pain. I knew at that moment I wanted to help people the way Dr Blossum had helped me. The biggest obstacle to overcome was myself. I grew up in a loving family that had no expectations, especially for girls. I was expected to grow up and be a waitress or at best a secretary. Once I owned the idea that I could be a doctor, I became unstoppable. I started taking classes, and my mother never got tired of telling her neighbors that her daughter was in chiropractic school and graduating with honors.

Today, a third of our college graduates are women. Our voice needs to be heard at the table, and we need to be a vital part of the dialogue. It is time for a more representative balance in all of chiropractic—the political arena, state boards, college boards, administration, teaching professions, and local, state, and national associations and specialty councils. More of us need to step forward and accept this responsibility. Female students in our colleges continue to be starved for female role models. It is time for all women DCs to mentor a new graduate.

If you are a female practitioner, consider how you can contribute. You can start by asking yourself the following questions: What is my philosophy? What are my values? Who are my mentors/role models? What is my unique gift that I can offer? Am I willing to: speak to a community group, mentor a new graduate, be a leader in a state or national association, be a professor, write a research paper? Is it time to form the National Association for Women Chiropractors?

To male practitioners who are interested in finding out what is driving this unstoppable movement of women chiropractors, ask yourself: Have I ever mentored a female grad? Would you be willing to support or promote a woman for a position of leadership in an association, a chiropractic college, the state board, the national board, and the CCE?

Many reading this article are ready to take the next step. I look forward to hearing from those of you who are willing to share your thoughts and future goals. With respect, support, and equal opportunities, both men and women of chiropractic will create a powerful future for our profession. CP

Jacalyn G. Buettner, DC, has been practicing in San Francisco since 1989. She has received numerous awards for her service to the advancement of the profession and has been featured on Good Morning America and World News Tonight. Buettner is currently working on a book honoring women in chiropractic titled Head, Hands, Heart. She can be reached at 415-421-1924; doctorb@unionsquarechiro.com;  www.drjackieb.com.

References
1. Peterson D, Wiese G. Chiropractic: An Illustrated History. St Louis: Mosby-Year Book Inc; 1995:389,410–411,453.
2. Gibbons R. The search for Alma Arnold: chiropractic’s forgotten woman pioneer 1903–1938. Chiropractic History. 1996:17–18.