Celebrating Women in Hospice
By: Irene Gonzalez, MSW, LSW
March is Nationally recognized as Women’s History Month, a time to honor the countless women who have shaped history through their compassion, leadership, and dedication. In the field of hospice and palliative care, women have played a profound role in ensuring that individuals receive dignified, person-centered end-of-life care. From frontline caregivers to pioneering leaders, their contributions continue to transform the landscape of hospice care.
The Heart of Hospice: Women as Caregivers
Women make up the majority of hospice caregivers, both in professional and familial roles. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP (2020), approximately 61% of family caregivers in the U.S. are women. Many provide unpaid care to aging or terminally ill loved ones, offering emotional support, assistance with daily tasks, and advocacy for quality end-of-life care (AARP, 2020).
In professional hospice settings, women serve as nurses, social workers, chaplains, and aides, delivering holistic care that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Hospice nurses provide symptom management and comfort measures, while social workers ensure that patients and families receive resources and psychosocial support. Their work is essential in guiding families through the challenges of terminal illness with dignity and grace.
Pioneers in Hospice & Palliative Care
Several remarkable women have shaped modern hospice care, leaving a lasting legacy:
Dame Cicely Saunders (1918-2005)
Widely regarded as the founder of the modern hospice movement, Dame Cicely Saunders revolutionized end-of-life care by establishing St. Christopher’s Hospice in London in 1967. Her work emphasized palliative care, pain management, and dignity for the dying, shifting the focus from curative treatments to comfort and holistic support (NHPCO, 2023).
Florence Wald (1917-2008)
Known as the “mother of the American hospice movement,” Florence Wald was a nurse and educator who brought hospice care to the United States. She founded Connecticut Hospice in 1974, the first U.S. hospice, and advocated for home-based palliative care (NHPCO, 2023). Her work laid the foundation for hospice services across the country.
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (1926-2004)
A Swiss-American psychiatrist, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross transformed how society understands death and dying. Her groundbreaking book, On Death and Dying, introduced the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance), shaping conversations around end-of-life care and bereavement (NHPCO, 2023).
Women Leading the Future of Hospice
Today, women continue to drive innovation in hospice and palliative care, reshaping the field with compassionate leadership and forward-thinking solutions. Many serve as executives of hospice organizations, advocating for policy reforms that ensure equitable access to end-of-life care. Others work on the ground, developing patient-centered models that prioritize dignity, comfort, and inclusivity.
One significant area of focus is culturally responsive hospice care, ensuring that end-of-life services honor the traditions, beliefs, and unique needs of diverse communities. Additionally, recognizing the emotional and physical toll of caregiving, many female leaders are pioneering caregiver support programs to combat burnout and promote mental well-being.
Organizations like the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) recognize the importance of empowering women in these fields. Through leadership training and mentorship, they ensure that the next generation of hospice professionals continues to make a meaningful impact.
Honoring Women in Hospice This Month
During Women’s History Month, we celebrate the dedication and resilience of the women in hospice care—past, present, and future. Their tireless commitment to comfort, dignity, and compassion enriches the lives of patients and families worldwide. Whether through caregiving, advocacy, or leadership, their contributions ensure that every individual’s final journey is met with kindness and respect.
References
AARP & National Alliance for Caregiving. (2020). Caregiving in the U.S. 2020. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/ltss/family-caregiving/caregiving-in-the-united-states/
Hospice & Palliative Nurses Association. (n.d.). Advancing Expert Care. https://www.advancingexpertcare.org/
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). (2023). History of Hospice in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.nhpco.org/hospice-care-overview/history-of-hospice/
