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Women in Dentistry: THE LUCY HOBBS PROJECT

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Historians have embraced Elizabeth Blackwell, who, in 1849, became the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. Children learn about Elizabeth Blackwell in school and her name is well known. The first female dentist, however, seems to have escaped history books.

At age 26, Lucy Hobbs decided she wanted a career change. She had been teaching for 10 years and felt a strong desire to pursue her passion—dentistry—but this was 1859 and female dentists didn't exist. Hobbs was promptly refused admission to dental school because she was a woman.

Hobbs didn't stop there though. She convinced a professor from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery to accept her into the program. In three short years, Hobbs opened her own practice and was allowed into the Iowa State Dental Society.

One project aims to increase awareness about Hobbs. The aptly named Lucy Hobbs Project keeps the Hobbs legacy alive, advances it, and honors outstanding women in the dental community. The initiative is sponsored by Benco Dental, the largest privately owned dental distribution company in the United States. Benco Dental was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The Lucy Hobbs Project empowers women in dentistry to drive change and deliver results through networking, innovation and giving back. The project leaders, who hosted 23 networking events in 2014 across the U.S., aim to bring women together from all facets of the dental industry—dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, receptionists, sales representatives and others.

The third annual celebration of the Lucy Hobbs project will take place June 4 and 5 in Baltimore. Six awards will be given to honorees in the industry who exemplify leadership in dentistry.

The keynote speaker for the June event is Carey Lohrenz, the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy. She'll describe her journey as a pioneer in military aviation and will highlight the challenges that women face as they enter male-dominated professions.

"Often times you are told no… we've never done it that way, it's not going to change. Well, you know what? Sometimes you've got to just keep pushing on the system," Lohrenz said. "Because the system told me for years, 'There is no place for you here,' and you have to keep pushing and saying 'I'm going to find a way.'"

"Sometimes you just need to step out and do it," she added. "You need to get your gear on and get in the cockpit. No matter how many people tell you no or that it can't be done or we're not doing this… go out and do it."

The name Lucy Hobbs may not be as recognized as the name of America's first female physician, but thanks to the Lucy Hobbs Project, that will change a little bit every year. For more information, visit Thelucyhobbsproject.com
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