What inspired you to become a chiropractor, and how has being a woman shaped your career?
When I had one day left to change my degree preference online, my Aunty’s sister said, “Why don’t you become a Chiropractor?”. I asked what they did, and she said, “They aim to help people be as healthy as they can be”. I was amazed and even though I liked my doctors and specialists, I felt they were more focused on covering up my symptoms then empowering me to be as healthy as I could be, which is what I really wanted.
My experiences as a mother, a working woman, family member and homemaker has helped me be a better Chiropractor. I have learnt a lot from almost 20 years of experience helping people as a Chiropractor, and my life experience as a woman has been invaluable.
Have you seen progress in gender equity within chiropractic? What still needs to change?
I am aware there is more males in leadership, ownership, and decision making roles in the Chiropractic profession. From what I have observed, I feel in the general community better equity needs to start in the home as well. If all genders realise that when they come home from work there is still unpaid work to do, like equity with parenting and homemaking responsibilities including child supervision, organising play dates and sports, tidying mess, helping with homework, running errands, sharing the parenting night shifts, appointments, doing washing, wiping, gardening, organising, home maintenance, and cooking, then there can be more equity with the individuals energy to put into an income earning job. Just because there still needs to be equity with wages and on average in Australia women still get paid less than men, doesn’t mean that the hours women do with paid and unpaid work is any less of a contribution and value than the hours of any one else.
Last year in Australia women on average had to work an extra 50 days a year than men to have equal pay in Australia. I am aware this is not only due to a lack of equity with cultural expectations of women in the home and with family responsibilities, but also gender discrimination and gender segregation of occupations and industries.
Unfortunately people still tell women they are wrong to expect equal paid and unpaid work hours, and that their time is less of a contribution and value. Because men unfairly get paid more than women there may be a poorly informed belief that the females time is less valuable. Or they may have a subconscious belief that men deserve more rest, exercise and sleep so they can continue to earn the unfair better wage. This then can leave the female to do more of the parenting and house work, then the woman has less energy to earn money, reinforcing the unhealthy cycle.
I believe if there was improved equity at home then women would have more energy to thrive in the paid work force and the wage gap will improve. If females continue to speak up, implement boundaries and take their power back when they safely can, I believe we will continue to improve gender equity. We are the role models for the next generation who deserve equity with all things including rest, relaxation, exercise, appreciation, safety, respect, consideration, support and income.
https://www.wgea.gov.au/newsroom/equal-pay-day-2025-campaign
What strengths or perspectives do women bring to chiropractic care?
The role, strengths and perspectives as a female partner, mother, family member, community member, friend and Chiropractor is different for everyone. I personally aim to be nurturing, honest, congruent, empathetic, resilient, hard working, courageous, evolving, authentic, fun, adventurous, thorough, open, loving and forgiving.
Have you faced challenges as a woman in the profession? How did you overcome them?
It was very challenging having newborns and children while working. I started back at work a week or two after the children were born, with a few 1.5 hour shifts a week between breast feeds. The Chiropractic profession is good with its flexible work hours. I did have to learn to minimise paper work at home. I also had to learn boundaries so my needs were met more.
Why is female representation important for patients and the future of chiropractic?
For example, some people feel more comfortable with a female practitioner, and some people feel more comfortable with a male. Female representation is obviously very important for patients and the future of Chiropractic. The more equity our profession has then stronger we are and the more we can offer patients.
How does greater gender equity strengthen the chiropractic profession overall?
Greater gender equity will better utilise the unique experiences and skills of women and may improve the professions adaptability, long-term thinking, leadership under pressure and emotional intelligence. I believe greater equity can only mean greater strength for the profession as women can share even more of their unique skills and insights with the community and the profession.
How important are female mentors and role models in chiropractic?
I believe female mentors and role models are vital for equity in Chiropractic. The impact of female role models and mentors had on me was inspirational.
What more can the profession do to support women in their careers?
If these statistics and strategies mentioned above can be taught and discussed at university then chiropractors can keep improving gender equity in their profession and support their patients more in changing this culture.
What advice would you give young women considering chiropractic as a career?
If you like empathising with people, helping them, learning, upgrading skills, and don’t mind touching spines, then I feel Chiropractic may be an excellent career.
On International Women’s Day, what does equity in chiropractic mean to you?
It is feeling there is equity in the representation of women in leadership, mentoring and decision making roles. It means that when all chiropractors go home they have equity in parenting and home making jobs and they encourage this for their patients with their wellness coaching. It is important to realise with all this that equity does not necessarily mean equal, for example if the task is to look over the fence then shorter person may be offered a stool or ladder by the taller person so they both can enjoy the same view over the fence. The Oxford review says, “Equity refers to the principle of fairness, justice, and impartiality. Unlike equality, which emphasises treating everyone the same, equity recognises that people have different needs and challenges. Therefore, it involves providing resources and opportunities in ways that level the playing field for all individuals, especially those from historically disadvantaged or underrepresented groups. The goal of equity is to ensure that all individuals have the necessary tools and support to succeed, based on their unique circumstances and needs.”
I am so grateful to the generations of insightful, courageous and groundbreaking people that have allowed me to experience this upgraded current level of equitability in the Chiropractic profession and community. Let’s keep improving.