When Johnny Met Rosie: Where Are All the Women?

“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.” —Malcolm S. Forbes

It should come as no surprise that I attend a fair number of conferences and EMS-related classes. Either as an instructor, coordinator or guest speaker, I have been fortunate enough to visit venues of all shapes and sizes. From tiny classrooms to large ballrooms, they all have one thing in common. More often than not I am one of only a few women standing in the front of the room.

Why is that? WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU, GALS?

There are lots of women at these conferences. I see the old pros who can hang with the rowdiest group and come out unscathed. The mothers, sometimes with kids in tow, and sometimes enjoying a day or two of freedom. The fresh, new faces, who are alternately flirty and shy, the ones that giggle at the job shirts strutting by who you want to shake and say, “Snap out of it!” The beloved matriarchs, who move slowly but come to every single class they signed up for and know someone everywhere they go. The professionals, the ones that make eye contact and know their business and, in many cases, could easily switch places with me and even do a better job. So why don’t they?

So many women. I watch them in the concourses, I see them on the exhibit floor. My rooms are filled with them, easily half and sometimes more. Yet not speaking, not writing, not putting themselves out there. If they are, then it’s at the local level at most. Why? Did someone tell you that you could not do it? Do you feel that you would not be chosen or able to do it? Let’s talk about it, shall we?

Me: “Hey you, they put out a call for speakers. Why don’t you put in a proposal?”

You: “Me?!? No way.”

Me: “Why not?”

You: (Insert scoffing, incredulous reaction, or reflexive insecurity here. See common responses below.)

What would I speak about? I don’t know, what are you interested in?

EMS is boundless when it comes to topics. Perhaps you had an interesting case that stumped you and, on your own, you researched a rare life-threatening complication or condition. Now you have knowledge that could help another EMS provider recognize it should it happen on their watch. Maybe you attended a program where the material was inadequate and you felt more would be worth it. Maybe you were integral when a high profile incident occurred, and there are lessons to be learned from that. Perhaps there are trends that you’ve watched develop and you have the evidence to demonstrate that they are applicable on a wider scale than just your department.

Who is going to listen to me? I am nobody important. Define “important.”

You do not need management-level credentials in order to speak and certainly not to write. You do need interest, some basic skills, applicable experience and knowledge in your topic. Then you need the willingness to learn and accept criticism, and the courage to put yourself out there for all of that.

I would, but I need to lose weight first. I hate the way I look. They will judge me. Yes they will—but not any harder than you are judging yourself right now.

The eternally beautiful Sophia Loren once said, “Sex appeal is fifty percent what you've got and fifty percent what people think you've got.” It may not always translate to public speaking, but confidence will trump whatever you think your physical detriment is, every single time. It is funny how badly women worry about how we look and, specifically our weight, when we’re in front of an audience. If I were to put a desperately injured child in your path you would attack that scene with all the gusto of Ms. Loren eating her beloved spaghetti and never once worry about what your butt looks like.

Yes, they will judge you—for your ability to make eye contact, for the delivery of your material, for your ability to address their questions with answers that make sense. Do you know your material? Are you comfortable with it? If so, then the rest of the insecurities will fall away. If they’re judging you on your butt then either they have other interests in you, or they really aren’t there to learn.

I would rather fall through a barbed wire factory into a vat of lemon juice before I got up in front of an audience.

Ok, fair enough. You hate public speaking, I get it. Do you write? At least think about it.

There are reasons I am badgering you about this ladies. Women represent a larger percentage of providers in EMS than they do in either the police or fire departments nationwide. The higher you go in the echelon, the lower those numbers get. While this does demonstrate an existing gender inequality in management levels and above, it also indicates that there are a large number of experienced women out there who are doing the job every day—professional women who are providing quality compassionate care, supervision and instruction to their co-workers and students. You know your way around an emergency by now, so why don’t you share?

There are some outstanding women out there who teach in all levels of the field. Yes, you, I’m talking to you, the one who invests what little spare time she has into offering to teach for her agency, or local CEU programs or the nearby college or hospital. The difference between that and this is the venue and the fact that you have more control over content. In fact, if there is subject matter that you have been historically dissatisfied with, it could be your opportunity to expand on a topic or offer it with a brand new focus.

Women bring a different perspective to the same call. Thanks to our gender (and society), we can relate to patients on a different level and those are skills that should be recognized and even taught. Women are often eloquent speakers and sympathetic listeners. Competent, confident women should be presenting new information, sharing their experiences and mentoring those who are coming up in the ranks now. Just by having the courage to stand in the front of the room and being able to present a topic with confidence, you become an inspiration to the women who come after you, and it helps to keep and build a place of equal footing.

Alright, maybe I’ll think about it. Where do you suggest I start?

If you have never spoken before, then this is a big hurdle. If you’re not an instructor in something, then commit the time and effort to  become one. Things like CPR and AHA classes will help you develop skills for group scenarios, which is an OK way to start. NAEMT programs like PHTLS can be a little more intensive, which requires you to prepare more and will be a bigger advantage when speaking at larger venues. Offer to help with continuing education, or find a speaker you enjoy and talk to them about it. Don’t shy away from opportunities to speak, each one will help you refine your abilities.

If you have spoken before or even think that you’re comfortable with it, then get serious about it. Find someone willing to be honest who will watch you speak and critique you on delivery. Not necessarily content, but delivery. Read any and all feedback you get and learn what bad habits you have (we all have them). I talk too fast, sometimes walk back and forth too much, and when I turn my back to the audience, I cannot be heard well. Hey, at least I do not “Ummm” anymore! (Or at least, not as much.)

Create a CV that emphasizes your EMS or overall experience in the topic of choice. Make sure to list any previous speaking experience, even small. Get reputable references.

Come up with at least three individual topics (preferably more). Local conferences differ, but if a state conference is going to pay for an outside speaker to come in then they are going to want their money’s worth. You may be asked to speak on more than one topic. Most conferences run in tracks: ALS, BLS, General, Leadership, Education, Pediatrics and Disaster Preparedness are all examples. Do your topics fit into any of these for a primary audience?

Figure out where you want to speak. There are conferences of all sizes throughout the United States. You may opt for a state, regional or national program. Look for the “call for speakers” when they go out, which usually happens up to a year in advance of a conference. However, if you miss a deadline, do not hesitate to contact the conference organizer and ask if they are still looking. For an additional “How To” regarding preparing to speak, read the articles Preparing to Present and How to be an Effective Public Speaker by Raphael Barishansky, who has practically made this a science.  

While it is not always the rule, professional writing and speaking often go hand in hand. If you have a good topic and you aren’t ready to speak, consider writing about it. Don’t restrict yourself to the major professional magazines either. Related journals, newsletters, local hospitals and health organizations are all looking for quality material. Each submission is more experience for you.

I’m not going to lie, speaking and writing is not easy, and there is skill involved. Very few people fall into either role naturally. Talent helps, practice helps even more. If you are seriously considering this, know your weaknesses. Have a few trusted people give you the feedback you need, not what you want. Refine, practice, get rejected from time to time, and move on until you get it right—because you will eventually get it right, if this is what you want to do.

The very first person I learned ANY of my EMS from was a woman, the captain of my local first aid squad to be exact. Today she is the director of the paid agency that it evolved into. My best full-time partner doing inner city BLS was a woman. One of my best ALS partners ever is a woman. My lead instructor for the NAEMT classes I run is a woman. My editor is a woman.

So when I go to these conferences, why is it that at the end of the day I’m the only broad at the bar with all these suits?

I’m sure there are some of you reading this who would love to join me for a cup of coffee after a long day of speaking. I’ll even buy. Give it a shot. You are worth so much to our profession, as a provider and as a woman.

And stop worrying about your butt.

Tracey A. Loscar, NRP, FP-C, is the training supervisor for University Hospital EMS in Newark, NJ. Contact her at taloscar@gmail.com. She is also a member of the EMS World editorial advisory board.