VICDOC Autumn 2025 - Magazine - Page 44
H O N O U RI N G WO M E N I N M ED I C I N E
T
his imbalance in recognition reflects a
broader historical trend – one that has
seen the achievements of women in
medicine documented less, celebrated less,
and, as a result, remembered less. But AMA
Victoria is committed to changing this.
Through initiatives such as the Name
A Place drive and participation in the
Victorian Honour Roll of Women, AMA
Victoria is working to ensure that
pioneering female medical professionals are
not just acknowledged within the profession
but given lasting public recognition in
Victoria’s historical and cultural landscape.
WHY PUBLIC RECOGNITION MATTERS
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Recognition is about more than symbolism.
It is about ensuring that the next
generation of women in medicine see
their predecessors reflected in the built
environment, reinforcing that their own
work and leadership are not only possible
but essential.
When medical women who have
shaped the profession are honoured in
public place names, we send a message
to every aspiring doctor, researcher, and
medical leader: your work matters, your
contributions are valued, and your name
will not be forgotten.
AMA VICTORIA’S NAME
A PLACE INITIATIVE
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The Name A Place initiative, led by
Geographic Names Victoria, was designed
to ensure that underrepresented groups —
including women, Indigenous Australians,
and culturally diverse communities — are
acknowledged in the names of public places
across Victoria. The program allowed
organisations and individuals to nominate
historically significant figures whose
contributions deserved recognition in the
built environment. Once accepted, these
names were added to official name
banks, which local councils draw from
when naming new streets, parks, and
other public spaces.
Recognising the importance of this
opportunity, AMA Victoria launched its
own Name A Place Drive in October 2024,
specifically to ensure that the contributions
of women in medicine were properly
represented in Victoria’s public spaces.
Ultimately, AMA Victoria nominated 21
pioneering medical women to be
considered for public place naming.
Read more about
The Name A Place
initiative
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AMA VI C TO RIA
