International Women’s Day is commemorated on Friday, March 8, imagining a gender-equal world, free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. It falls during the early days of Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the remarkable contributions and legacies of women who have shaped history and influenced positive change in society. Today at Fenway Health, we pay tribute to trailblazers and healthcare heroes with Fenway connections like Judy Bradford, Dr. Susan M. Love, and Eilakeisha Spencer.
Judy Bradford, PhD, a beloved founder and Co-Chair of The Fenway Institute, dedicated her career to advocating for LGBTQIA+ health and gender equality while advancing research on sexual and gender minority populations. Her pioneering efforts at Fenway Health paved the way for inclusive healthcare practices and groundbreaking research initiatives.
Dr. Bradford was the first research scientist to head an NIH-funded population studies center focused on sexual and gender minority health, and the first to receive NIH funding to support a summer institute to train the next generation of LGBTQIA+ health researchers, held right here at Fenway. We remember her unwavering commitment to equality and her profound impact on LGBTQIA+ health disparities.
Susan M. Love, MD, a trailblazer in women’s health and breast health advocacy, epitomized resilience and compassion in her tireless pursuit of better healthcare for women. Dr. Love was a groundbreaking surgeon, author, researcher, and activist. Through her medical prowess and tireless advocacy, she singlehandedly played an outsized role in reshaping the standards and best practices for breast cancer screening and treatment.
For many years, Fenway Health proudly bestowed the Dr. Susan M. Love Award to individuals or organizations who made significant contributions to the field of women’s health in honor of her pioneering work. Her legacy serves as a beacon of hope for countless individuals affected by breast cancer and women’s health issues. Dr. Bradford was one of the many recipients of the Love Award.
Eilakeisha Spencer, LMHC, who received Fenway’s 2023 Trailblazer award at the Audre Lorde Cancer Awareness Brunch is a mental health clinician specializing in the care of inner-city adolescents in Massachusetts. She co-founded the Boston Lesbigay Urban Foundation, a nonprofit serving the Black/Brown/Latinx LGBTQIA+ community in inner-city Boston by curating safe spaces and providing resources. Her commitment to enhancing the lives of marginalized individuals and breaking the cycle of dysfunction within underserved communities is inspiring.
Inspired by people like Bradford, Love, Spencer and the many other women who have worked both for and together with us since our founding in 1971, Fenway Health is dedicated to offering comprehensive health care and services for women of all backgrounds. Our commitment extends to providing inclusive reproductive healthcare services tailored to individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations. From alternative insemination to birth control and emergency contraception, as well as obstetrics care, our wide range of services ensures that every individual receives the support and care they deserve.
As we commemorate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, let us honor the legacies of pioneering women in healthcare and look to our future leaders as we reaffirm our commitment to advancing equity, inclusivity, and access to quality healthcare for all.
Join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements of women throughout history and in shaping a healthier, more equitable future for all.