29 Sep 2025

Lucinda L. Maine

When I entered the Auburn College of Pharmacy almost 50 years ago, my class was the first to reach the 50/50 gender mark—just a few years earlier, women were a much smaller part of each class. Upper class students, both men and women, welcomed me and encouraged me to become involved in student organisations, including insisting that I join them in attending the national meeting of the Student American Pharmacists Association (SAPhA). What happened there changed my life in amazing and wonderful ways! 

Early in my second year I met the first of four women pharmacy students from four different colleges, and we became mutual friends and encouragers. Ultimately, the five of us coined the name “The Future Five” and set out to change the profession as leaders at the local, state and national levels. Each of us has become a leader in the fields of business, education, health systems, and associations. All along these paths, we have encouraged, nudged, and supported each other both personally and professionally. Between us, we have six sons (and no daughters)! 

Both as a student and across my career I have sought opportunities to lead and serve. I was the second woman to be national SAPhA President and ten years later I was elected Speaker of the APhA House of Delegates (running in a field of three men and one woman) In that role, I served as a member of the APhA Board of Trustees in my early 30’s. Recently, in May 2025, I was elected to join the board of the US Pharmacopeia for a five-year term. 

As I graduated from Auburn and completed my term as SAPhA President, APhA created a task force on women in pharmacy. I volunteered to bring a student/young pharmacist’s voice to the task force and served for its duration. The discussions within the task force and at open hearings communicated that leaders in the profession recognised the demographic sea change that was occurring as more women entered pharmacy. The task force tackled issues like equity in compensation and leadership opportunities. Ensuring that all pharmacists, and especially women, had supporting networks of both men and women was articulated as a high priority. There was also a group of recent graduates that met at national meetings and encouraged continued participation in pharmacy associations. We supported each other over our early careers.  

As I reflect on my 45 years as a postgraduate, and milestones in my career, I have been blessed with the support of many in the profession in the USA and, through my involvement with FIP, globally. Each position that I have held became an opportunity for me because at least one male leader reached out to encourage me to pursue a position they believed I was ready to fill. This was true in my first and second academic positions. It was also the case when I transitioned to association management, first at APhA and then as the Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, a position I held for 20 years. 

I encourage each reader to embrace the opportunities to grow your leadership skills and pursue positions in leading and managing your profession. Don’t try to do this alone; build your network of peers, mentors, coaches and sponsors proactively. Pharmacy has yet to achieve our destiny as valued members of healthcare teams, but we are closer than we have ever been. Be supportive of others as well, and cherish each opportunity you create for your brilliant future. 

CEO Emerita, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy