Women in Pharmacy
The APhA Foundation’s Women in Pharmacy initiative aims to empower and support women in the pharmacy profession through mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities. By addressing gender-specific challenges, the initiative seeks to promote leadership, advance careers, and enhance the visibility of women in the field. The Women in Pharmacy initiative is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where women can thrive and make significant contributions to the healthcare industry.
Women in Pharmacy Exhibit and Conference Room
Situated within the APhA headquarters, the Women in Pharmacy Exhibit and Conference room celebrates the achievements of remarkable women throughout the history of pharmacy. The exhibit, which was dedicated in 2012, highlights many firsts for women in U.S. pharmacy, including innovating pharmacy practice as entrepreneurs, advocating for health care, serving in federal pharmacy, and providing leadership in national pharmacy organizations.
Cherry blossoms are a central theme in the design of the Women in Pharmacy Exhibit and Conference Room. This steadfast tree with its delicate flower is a symbol of hope, strength, humanity. and new beginnings. The cherry blossom represents hope for equal rights and strength to persevere in hard times. It is also a symbol of compassion, kindness, charity, and sympathy, all of which are characteristics of the women honored on the wall.
The history tree featured in the conference room represents a sampling of the many women who have contributed to the advancement of pharmacy -- women leaders who had a profound influence on the profession of pharmacy in their era. Each woman on the wall represents thousands of women standing behind them and thousands more yet to enter our ranks.
Watch to learn more about the legacy of Women in Pharmacy
Recent Events
2024 Women in Pharmacy Fall Panel: Giving and Receiving Feedback
This year’s Women in Pharmacy Fall Panel focused on giving and receiving feedback – whether you’re in the classroom or workplace! Our panelists answered audience questions on communication best practices, how to ask for feedback, and how navigate difficult performance conversations.
2024 Women in Pharmacy Leadership Development Forum
The 2024 Women in Pharmacy Leadership Development Forum: Take Time to Pause was hosted by Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coaches Cynthia Knapp Dlugosz and Seena Haines. By showcasing different mindfulness techniques, the forum served as a calming respite from the flurry of meeting activities — a chance to refresh and renew.
2023 Advocating for Yourself in the Workplace Panel Event
The October 11, 2023, panel facilitated by APhA Trustee, Lauren Bode, featured a dialogue on initiating self-advocacy, re-engaging after family leave, negotiating compensation, and more
2023 Women in Pharmacy Leadership Development Forum
At the 2023 Women in Pharmacy Leadership Development Forum, Lucinda Maine, Ph.D., RPh, former EVP and CEO of AACP, delivered the keynote presentation: "Can you believe? versus You can believe!"
2021 Women in Pharmacy: Remembering our Past, Committing to Our Present, and Investing in Our Future
On October 20th, 2021, Women in Pharmacy Committee Chair Elizabeth Johnson moderated a virtual panel session featuring Metta Lou Henderson, Theresa Tolle, and Kennedy Erickson. Visit this page to watch the panel event and hear some words of wisdom from these women pharmacist leaders.
The Women on the Portrait Wall
The women on the portrait wall each have a unique story of their significant influence to the profession.
Donor Wall
With gratitude and appreciation, the APhA Foundation recognizes the generosity of donors who shared a vision of celebrating women’s outstanding contributions to pharmacy.
Next 10 Women in Pharmacy Honorees
In 2022, the APhA Foundation launched the Women in Pharmacy Recognition Campaign to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Women in Pharmacy Exhibit and Conference Room. The next 10 honorees will join the roster of distinguished women and organizations similarly honored in 2012. The distinguished women featured are a sampling of the many women in pharmacy who contribute to this vital health care profession every day.
Marialice Bennett, RPh, FAPhA
Marialice Bennett, a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, was one of the first pharmacists in the country to create and implement inpatient clinical pharmacy services which ultimately transformed hospital pharmacy practice. She became a respected leader known for her pioneering vision for advancing patient care in community-based practice, her contributions towards evolving pharmacy education, and her work in cultivating community-based residency training. She has mentored and inspired countless pharmacists to be agents of change. Marialice was president of APhA in 2010-11 and received the Remington Honor Medal in 2021.