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Graphic by: Dr Michiko Maruyama

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Canadian Women
Physicians Day

Celebrated for the first time on March 11, 2021 with the generous support of Canadian Women in Medicine, Canadian Women Physicians Day was created by Dr. Liana Hwang and is celebrated annually on March 11 across the country.

Currently, more than 40% of physicians in Canada are women and, although that proportion is growing, women physicians continue to face gender-based issues like income disparity and discrimination.

The Story of CWPD

March 11 was the date of licensure of Dr. Jennie Trout, the first woman licensed to practice medicine in Canada. Dr. Trout was born in Scotland on April 21, 1841. She taught public school until a bout of illness inspired her to pursue a career in medicine. As Canadian medical schools did not accept female students at the time, Dr. Trout attended the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1875. She returned to Toronto, where she obtained her medical license and opened her own practice, including a free dispensary for patients in financial need.

 

Dr. Trout advocated tirelessly for medical education for women. When a group of male doctors planned to open a medical school for women in Toronto, she offered $10,000 with the condition that women be allowed to teach and form the majority of trustees on the board. Her offer was refused and, instead, she went on to help found the Women’s Medical College in Kingston, Ontario.

 

Dr. Trout’s colleague, Dr. Emily Stowe, had also applied to the Toronto School of Medicine but was denied entrance, with the school’s Vice Principal stating: “The doors of the University are not open to women and I trust they never will be.” Undeterred, Dr. Stowe earned her medical degree from the New York Medical College for Women in 1867. She became the first woman to practice medicine in Canada, and the second woman granted a Canadian medical license.

 

Each year, on Canadian Women Physicians Day, we remember the trailblazing women who paved the way and the challenges that they overcame. We celebrate women physicians who are making a difference today, like Dr. Nel Wieman, Canada’s first female Indigenous psychiatrist; Dr. Jane Philpott, the first Canadian doctor to be appointed federal Minister of Health; Dr. Bonnie Henry, the first female Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia, and every woman in medicine who inspires us with their achievements, their unwavering commitment to their patients and their

advocacy.

Celebrate CWPD

On March 11th, 2023 join us in the celebrating Canadian Women Physicians Day.

Woman on Her Smart Phone

Spread the word on social with

#WomenDocsCAN

Floral Card

Say thank you to a Canadian women physician

Confetti

Host your own CWPD celebration

CWIM Partners

Log in to watch recordings from past CWPD events in the video gallery.

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