Arrive, Achieve, Aspire

For each and every woman here at the Medical University of South Carolina, it is important to remember, on some level, that we indeed stand on the shoulders of giants. The women who came before us, who paved the way for our entrance into this remarkable world of the health professions and sciences, have never been appropriately recognized. Their arrival, their battles with a society that is almost hard for many women today to imagine, created the means for our own path. Sometimes, when you recognize the trials and tribulations that women still face in our society, it is easy to forget those who faced far more substantial barriers than we. The women who took on the challenge to be the first nursing students, the first medical students, the first health profession students. The women who came here to teach them. And those who not only came here as students, but who took their training and in so many ways added to their society. The women whose achievements stand as a monument to their courage, their intelligence, and their willingness to follow their dreams against any odds. It is a great honor to be able to bring their stories before you, to tell you a little of their history. While we acknowledge that we have not been able to recognize all of the women who helped to establish the place for women here at MUSC, we do hope that we can provide enough of their story to inspire others to learn more about their history. And these women who have given us the means to follow our own dreams and aspirations.

Timeline of Women at MUSC - A Continued Work in Progress (roll cursor over dates for additional information)