Women of the APA: the Leadership of the Association of Women Psychiatrists (AWP)-View Presentation

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The session at the APA focused on the Association of Women Psychiatrists (AWP) and their history, goals, and the importance of allies. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Amy Alexander, highlighted the evolution of women's roles within the APA and the establishment and growth of the AWP, which was founded to provide women psychiatrists with leadership opportunities that were initially unavailable within the APA. Several past presidents of AWP were honored, each contributing significantly to the field of psychiatry and the advancement of women's rights and representation.<br /><br />Dr. Ludmila DeFaria, chair of the newly re-established Council on Women, emphasized the importance of continued advocacy and collaboration between different bodies like AWP, the Women's Caucus, and the APA for advancing women's issues in psychiatry. Dr. Francis Lu discussed mentorship and allyship, highlighting the role of men as support systems to advocate for women in psychiatry.<br /><br />The session called for more participation in AWP's initiatives, including the new Scholars Program and a virtual conference to enhance academic engagement among women psychiatrists. The discussion also underscored the significance of mentorship, sponsorship, and advocating for oneself and peers in professional environments. Addressing workplace inequalities and navigating them strategically was emphasized, along with the importance of voting for qualified women candidates to ensure continued progress in women's representation in leadership roles. Overall, the gathering aimed to strengthen the network of women and allies in psychiatry and continue pushing for equitable spaces in the field.

Keywords

Association of Women Psychiatrists

APA

women's roles

leadership opportunities

advocacy

mentorship

allyship

workplace inequalities

representation

psychiatry

networking