Into the Barn, Against the Odds
A story of perseverance in the face of gender bias and the progress that followed.
The Rejections That Shaped the Journey
I began my career as a large animal veterinarian with two strikes against me—I was a new graduate and I am a woman.
I began applying to practices right after graduating from University of Pennsylvania veterinary school, but didn’t make any headway with the first few applications. By the time I got the fifth or sixth rejection, I was discouraged but not defeated. There were still lots of job listings for large animal veterinarians in upstate New York, where my husband lived (while I studied in Philadelphia), and where the dairy industry was strong. After my tenth interview, I had to face the fact that I was not going to be hired.
I turned my sights to California, hoping for a fresh start and maybe more open-minded veterinarians but I was wrong. Every practice I approached was all-male, and despite my qualifications and enthusiasm, none were willing to hire a woman. I was hitting the same brick wall which appeared to span the entire country.
The Unexpected Break
The only way I broke into large-animal practice was through an internship at Utah State University that had originally been offered to a male new grad. When he was injured by a nasty kick from a cow, the position suddenly became available, and the University found themselves “desperate” to fill it.
That fateful accident gave me the opening I needed to start my career as the lady cow vet.
Where We Are Now
Today, more than 80% of new veterinary school graduates are women, and the country faces a serious shortage of large-animal veterinarians. Women are finally more welcome in these jobs. The president and vice president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners are both women, a milestone that would have felt unthinkable when I began my career.
And yet…
Rural practices remain overwhelmingly male-dominated.
The gender pay gap persists.
Women in large-animal veterinary medicine still make roughly 20% less than men.
A thoughtful report from Nebraska Public Media explores this ongoing divide:
https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/most-veterinarians-are-women-but-they-still-face-sexism-in-rural-areas-where-theyre-most-needed/
The Work Isn’t Over
Nearly fifty years have passed since I entered the field. We’ve made progress, yes, but it has been slow and inconsistent. I helped pave part of this road, but there are still many potholes ahead.
And yet, each new woman who steps into a barn, pulls on her coveralls, and chooses this work continues to make the path a little smoother.
Are you a woman working in a male-dominated field? I want to hear from you! Reply to this email or share you story in the comments!
Vetted Facts
Cows have a hoof that is split into two ‘claws’ which bear their immense weight. Their feet need to be trimmed regularly so they don’t get lame, and recently, You Tube videos of professional hoof trimmers working on cow feet have become strangely popular. In the last few weeks, a guy at my gym and an old family friend have both told me they are addicted to watching Nate the Hoof Guy. I guess I am pleased that folks in the general public appreciate the work of the humble hoof trimmer!
Now’s the time to pre-order
Breaking the Barnyard Barrier hits the shelves this February! To ensure you receive your copy on launch day, pre-order from one of these retailers:
