By Ashanda Saint Jean, MD, FACOG

Serena Williams once said, “The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up.” This quote from one of the greatest tennis players of all time always inspires me and fuels my continued desire to move forth and change the world. I went into medicine to help others and to heal others, but most importantly to be of service to others. Growing up as one of six children in New York City, I attended many doctor’s appointments with my family. I marveled at the ability of physicians, their intellect and ability to alter the course of illness. I had wanted to be a physician since early childhood; however, there were very few occasions on which I saw women physicians or women physicians of color in those days. 

I charted a course in medicine despite the lack of women physician role models early on. I focused on being a physician, one that could be a future role model to others and a vessel of healing for my family and community. When I later decided to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, fortunately, my path had been cultivated by incredible women physicians who provided guidance and mentorship that nurtured my goals. These giants in medicine—these magnificent women obstetricians and gynecologists—provided the bedrock of my future practice, framed in health equity, reproductive justice, and cultural sensitivity. 

In recognition of Women’s History Month, I am truly thankful for the strength of the many great women in medicine, and to my ancestors, who enabled my dream of becoming a physician to be imagined, to be believed, and then to be a reality. It was their perseverance that grounded my resilience. It was the audacity of their wildest dreams that allowed mine to exist. My presence in medicine is the manifestation of their wildest dreams captured. I stand and honor their sacrifices and recognize my privilege to have a presence in medicine providing care for patients during the various stages of life, but especially their birthing journey. My true purpose is that of a birth champion who centers joy within the birthing experience—especially now, given the present-day public health crisis of maternal mortality. 

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s raise each other up. As an obstetrician–gynecologist and as a woman physician, I’m dedicated to promoting the health of all women during all chapters of their life. Because, truly, I am my patient, and my patient is me. 

 Ashanda Saint Jean, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified ob-gyn with extensive experience in New York City, where she focuses on providing quality care to underrepresented minority women, and an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York Medical College. Dr. Saint Jean is chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at HealthAlliance of Hudson Valley and medical director of Advanced Ob-Gyn Associates at Westchester Medical Center Health Network. She is committed to women’s health issues, racial disparities, health equity and inclusion, maternal health safety and policies, teen pregnancy, and telemedicine in maternal health. 

The national theme for this year’s Women’s History Month is Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Our members exemplify this theme every day in their practices, in their communities, and in their advocacy with ACOG. This March, we’d love to hear from ACOG members about women you admire who speak out to advance equity, diversity and inclusion – or how you have committed yourself to do so and why that work is critical. 

Please join us in sharing your thoughts by emailing [email protected] (include a headshot!) to be featured on ACOG’s website, in our newsletters, and on our social media.