aligning with the past, adjusting for the future

by Susan Donahue, DC

Susan Donahue has been practicing in the Rhode Island area for the past three years. She is an active member of the American Chiropractic Association and the Federation of Chiropractic Education and Research. She was recently elected secretary of the Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island and is on the board of directors at YWCA Northern Rhode Island. She may be reached at 475-6585. photo by Agapao Productions

Chiropractic medicine has been around for thousands of years and transcended numerous cultures, however, Daniel David (D.D.) Palmer, a self proclaimed magnetic healer of the early 19th Century, deduced that inflammation and subsequent dis-ease was in part due to anatomical discontinuity. Modern chiropractic evolved from this point and D.D. Palmer is known as "The Father of Chiropractic".

However, the chiropractic profession shows no prejudice toward women, B.J. Palmer (D.D.'s son) actively solicited women to become chiropractors and as a result, its history is replete with examples of great women in chiropractic.

The chiropractic profession has long been noted for the women in its ranks. From pioneers in chiropractic sciences such as Mabel Heath Palmer, DC to modern-day educators, and researchers, women have had some of the most influential roles throughout the history and development of the profession.

The history of women in chiropractic begins in 1899 in the first class of 15 students at the Palmer School of Chiropractic. It is here that Minora Paxson, DC was one of the first female chiropractors to graduate. In 1904 she co-founded The American School of Chiropractic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She also co-authored the first chiropractic textbook, Modernized Chiropractic.

Alma Cusian Arnold, DC, received her chiropractic degree in 1903 and within 10 years established dual practices in Washington, DC and New York. Alma's patient constituency consisted of members of Congress, a Vice President and Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross. She is also thought to be the first woman to go to jail for the profession as chiropractic medicine was not yet accepted under the governing laws.

Chiropractic would not be what it is today if not for Mabel Heath Palmer, DC, affectionately known as "The First Lady of Chiropractic." In 1904, she married B.J. Palmer and in 1905, graduated from the Palmer School of Chiropractic. Dr. Mabel Palmer, a revered researcher, was recognized as an authority in anatomy and assumed the role of instructor at the school for more than 30 years. Also within that time, she authored the book, The Textbook on Anatomy.

Ruth Rose Ashwoth-Cleveland, the wife of Carl S. Cleveland, accomplished a great deal in her eighty years of life. Ruth was one of the co-founders of Cleveland Chiropractic College, as well as an accomplished public speaker and active in several chiropractic organizations for much of her adult life.

Sylvia L. Ashworth, DC, known as the matriarch of the Cleveland clan. As a single mother of four, Sylvia was the first woman ever elected president of a national society in the United States, the Universal Chiropractors Association in 1926. The UCA laid the groundwork for insurance coverage for practicing chiropractors.

In 1935, several female students from the Lincoln School of Chiropractic rallied to form the American Council of Women Chiropractors (ACWC). Its mission was to publish information about the council along with scholarly work performed by its members. The ACWC also formed a scholarship foundation for women chiropractic students however; their most important role was to support women chiropractors. This council remained in existence until 1960.

Today, pioneers such as Jean Moss, DC, MBA, are continuing to set the groundwork for other women to take leadership roles in the chiropractic profession. Ms. Moss was elected president of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, Canada in 1991, which at the time made her the only female chiropractic college president in all of North America. Most recently, Jean was elected President of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC). The ACC is the governing body, which oversees all chiropractic colleges here in the United States and abroad.

Recent studies show, women comprise nearly 18 percent of all the licensed chiropractors in the United States. As chiropractic colleges are seeing an increase in the number of female students, the trend continues for women to have an even greater impact on the future of the chiropractic profession.

Women in the chiropractic profession need to continue shaping the future by getting involved in teaching, research, the political arena, state boards and national associations. The future of healthcare in this country is on the brink of disaster and women in chiropractic are in a position to make a significant impact if they choose to take some responsibility and get involved.