At NVA, we’re proud to create a space where women can thrive, both professionally and personally. Our NVA Women’s Network is committed to uniting women across the organization, enabling them to support one another, forge meaningful connections, and collaborate to shape the future of veterinary care.

As a female-led industry, we’re also proud to see that 63% of veterinarians are women, according to the latest AVMA data. This statistic highlights the tremendous progress women have made—and the continued impact they are having—within the field of veterinary medicine.

Pioneers Who Paved the Way in Veterinary Medicine

Early pioneers like Dr. Elinor McGrath (Chicago Veterinary College) and Dr. Florence Kimball (Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine) were among the first women to earn veterinary degrees in the early 20th century, and both women chose to practice as small animal veterinarians, a practice that was uncommon at the time. They paved the way for future generations, and today, women make up the majority of veterinary school graduates and practitioners. Other notable figures like Dr. Jane Hinton, co-developer of the Mueller-Hinton agar, have made groundbreaking contributions to the field.

Dr. Jane Hinton (1919–2003) was a trailblazer in both veterinary medicine and bacteriology. She was one of the first two African American women to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1949. Before her veterinary career, while working as a laboratory technician at Harvard University, she co-developed the Mueller-Hinton agar with John Howard Mueller. This agar medium became a standard tool for testing bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics and is still widely used today. Dr. Hinton practiced as a small animal veterinarian and later worked as a federal government inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, investigating disease outbreaks in livestock. Her legacy is a testament to her groundbreaking contributions and dedication to advancing both fields.

Moving Forward Together: Celebrating Women’s History Month

This year’s Women’s History Month theme is "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations." There are numerous ways you can engage in this month-long celebration and contribute to the collective empowerment of women everywhere:

• Support women-owned businesses

• Watch documentaries that explore the lives and experiences of women

• Read books on women’s rights and liberation

• Offer mentorship to a young woman in your field

• Follow and amplify women’s voices on social media platforms

• Take time to express gratitude to the women who inspire and motivate you

At NVA, we are committed to building a future where women’s voices and contributions are celebrated every day. Let us continue to honor their achievements, learn from their stories, and move forward together.