The Sisterhood Effect: How Women Leaders in Vet Med Can Inspire Change
Veterinary medicine is a world built on compassion, grit, and a ton of brainpower. Women make up more than 80% of veterinary graduates as of 2024, bringing fresh perspectives and incredible talent to the field. But here’s the thing—while there are more women entering the profession, leadership roles are still dominated by men, and many women find themselves without the support or role models they need to thrive. The real magic happens when we focus on building each other up, creating a ripple effect of support, mentorship, and transformation that helps everyone succeed.
We call this The Sisterhood Effect. It’s the power of women supporting women to inspire real change, not just in their own lives, but across the entire veterinary profession. Think about the women in your life. Who has supported you? Who have you supported? When were the moments you appreciated having a support system?
Why Support Matters: The Ripple Effect
When women in vet med actively support each other, the effects extend way beyond the people directly involved. Here’s how the ripple spreads:
Empowerment: A little encouragement goes a long way. When a vet gets the nudge she needs to step into a leadership role or chase an unconventional dream, her confidence skyrockets.
Inspiration: Watching a peer crush her goals makes you think, “If she can do it, maybe I can too.”
Cultural Shifts: When collaboration becomes the norm, competition takes a backseat, paving the way for a more inclusive and uplifting profession.
This isn’t just theory—it’s happening right now. Take Emily, for example. She was five years into practice, burned out, and questioning if she’d made the right career choice. Then she met a mentor who didn’t just see her potential but helped her see it too. That mentor guided Emily to align her career with her values, and now she’s thriving as a lead doctor in a practice she loves. And the best part? Emily’s paying it forward by mentoring other young vets, keeping the ripple alive.
Why Women Leaders Matter in Vet Med
Let’s address the glaring gap: women dominate the profession, but leadership roles are still male-heavy. Women veterinarians are underrepresented in ownership, executive positions, and industry leadership roles. Why? Impostor syndrome, workplace bias, and a lack of support networks often hold us back.
But here’s the thing: when women veterinarians step into leadership roles, they bring unique strengths that make a huge difference. Emotional intelligence, a natural tendency toward collaboration, and an empathetic approach to problem-solving are just a few of the superpowers women leaders bring to the table.
The good news? We can change the dynamic by building a pipeline of women leaders—and it starts with showing up for each other.
The Sisterhood Code: 5 Ways Women Vets Can Support Each Other
Want to know how to make The Sisterhood Effect happen in your own life? Start with these five steps:
1. Be a Mentor
You don’t need to have a fancy title to mentor someone. Sharing your experiences—especially the messy parts—can be life-changing for someone who’s just starting out or feeling stuck.
Pro Tip: Be honest about your struggles. It’s not just about the wins; your challenges make you relatable and real. That’s what builds trust.
2. Celebrate Wins, Big and Small
Let’s be real—how often do we downplay our own achievements? Too often. Break that habit by hyping up your peers when they crush it, whether it’s rocking a tough case, landing a promotion, or just making it through a rough week.
Action Idea: Create a “Win Wall” at work or in your group chat. It’s like a physical or digital high-five space where everyone can share their victories.
3. Collaborate, Don’t Compete
Here’s the tea: competition is outdated. When women collaborate, the results are chef’s kiss amazing.
Real-Life Example: Sarah and Meghan, two stellar veterinarians working on training programs in their specialty at the same company, used to see each other as competitors. They raced to see who could create the better program and who could garner more resources. After nearly a year of seeing each other as adversaries, they came together to collaborate and ended up building a combined program beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. The program not only consisted of both their ideas and specialities, they started inviting other doctors to collaborate with them to build a more comprehensive program. This ultimately led to better medical training and improved patient outcomes.
4. Advocate for Each Other
Sometimes the strongest support is using your voice when someone else’s isn’t being heard. Whether it’s in a meeting, during a performance review, or just in everyday interactions, be the person who lifts others up.
Pro Tip: Simple phrases like, “I think [Name] would be perfect for that role” or “Let’s make sure everyone gets a chance to share their thoughts” can make a huge impact.
5. Build a Community
Having a squad that gets it is priceless. Whether it’s a group like The Evolved Vets or just a few close colleagues, creating a safe space to share and support each other is everything.
Action Idea: Join or organize quarterly “Women in Vet Med” meet-ups in your area or start a virtual group to connect with like-minded women across the industry.
Overcoming Barriers to Support
Supporting each other isn’t always smooth sailing. Here’s how to tackle common challenges:
Impostor Syndrome: Feeling like you’re not “good enough” to mentor or lead? Newsflash: You are. Start small and watch your confidence grow.
Time Crunches: Life is busy. Start with bite-sized efforts, like a 30-minute coffee chat with a mentee or a quick check-in text.
Fear of Judgment: Trust takes time. Set a tone of vulnerability and respect in your community to create a safe space for everyone.
Lack of Support Networks: If your supervisor isn’t the advocate you need, look beyond your workplace. Seek out support from women in other roles or outside your job who can provide guidance and encouragement.
The Role of The Evolved Vets
At The Evolved Vets, we’re all about turning The Sisterhood Effect into a movement. We recognize that many women veterinarians, especially those in male-dominated workplaces, may struggle to find a supportive community, advocates, and collaborators in the workplace. Through our membership, masterclasses, and podcast, we’re creating spaces where women in vet med can learn, connect, and thrive—no matter where they are in their career journey or in the world.
Our community is designed to be both expansive and intimate. Whether you’re looking to tap into a global network of like-minded women veterinarians to exchange ideas, resources, and inspiration, or you’re searching for a small, trusted circle to lean on, The Evolved Vets has you covered. You can leverage the collective experiences and knowledge of the group while also finding your person—or your tribe—who truly gets you. It’s about connection that feels personal and support that feels limitless.
Our programs are built around The Sisterhood Code because we believe mentorship, celebration, collaboration, advocacy, and community are the keys to changing the game. When you join us, you’re not just gaining resources—you’re becoming part of something bigger.
One Conversation Can Change Everything
The Sisterhood Effect doesn’t require grand gestures. It starts small: a kind word, a shared resource, a moment of encouragement. These little actions build momentum, transforming careers, communities, and the entire profession.
Imagine a world where women leaders in vet med are the norm, not the exception. A world where collaboration trumps competition and every woman vet feels empowered to rise to her full potential. That’s the future we’re building, one relationship at a time.
Are you in? Let’s create it together.
