Women’s History Month: Recognizing contributions to dermatology by women (you may not have heard of!)
Women’s History Month: Recognizing contributions to dermatology by women (you may not have heard of!) By Randie Kim, MD March is here again – that means daylight savings time, the start of spring, the annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting, and… Women’s History Month! This year’s Women’s History Month theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion”. In honor of this year’s theme, here are some unsung heroines who have impacted our field. Madam C.J. Walker was an African American entrepreneur, activist, and philanthropist who became the first American self-made female millionaire. Born in 1867 as Sarah Breedlove, she was orphaned at the age of 7 and became a domestic worker at 10 years old. She suffered from a number of scalp conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis and alopecia. After consulting with her brothers, all of whom were barbers, she began experimenting and developing her own hair care products. In 1907, Walker launched...