From the time we initiated Vision Monday’s first report in 2003 honoring “The Most Influential Women in Optical,” we were asked if it was ‘fair’ or ‘responsible’ of us to ‘single out’ women as a group for their achievements.

Marge Axelrad Editorial Director

Didn’t ‘everyone’ deserve recognition and credit? If women were looking to gain equal ‘credibility’ in their jobs and careers, some peopleasked us, was it ‘right’ to look at them as a group in a particular way? If women are ‘special,’ are men ‘not special’?

Whoa. Hold up. First, of course men are ‘special,’ too! Second, to say that women today have come a long way in several generations of change is a major understatement in a year when a woman almost ran for President.

But clearly, the dynamic of women in the vision care field and optical workplace is a phenomenon that has changed a great deal in the past two decades and deserves recognition. From fashion, marketing and communications, to technology and science, academia and professional practice, women are not only heading companies but making real day-to-day contributions and decisionmaking.

In the optometry profession, they now represent the majority of graduating students and practicing doctors. In opticianry, their ranks continue to grow. And in ophthalmology, women--as in many medical specialties--are more visible.

Women’s roles as purchasing decisionmakers and influencers are generating the increased attention of industry and marketers. Their widening role in the workplace is being noticed by everyone from Forbes and the Wall Street Journal, who are starting sections geared to women in business and their work/life balance challenges.

In six years of special reports, several thousand of VM’s readers have responded to our requests for nominations and we have recognized the achievement of hundreds of women from all phases of our industry. And, yes, we think that’s special. ■