2026 Lucy Hobbs Taylor Award Nominations now open!
In 1859, Lucy Hobbs Taylor moved to Cincinnati, intent on attending medical school. After being refused admission based on her gender, Taylor studied privately under a professor who encouraged her to turn to dentistry.
Following her studies in dentistry, Lucy started her own practice in Cincinnati. Finally, in 1865, she gained professional recognition when she was elected to membership in the Iowa State Dental Society and served as a delegate at the American Dental Association convention in Chicago, Illinois. That November, she was admitted to the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, where she became the first woman to earn a doctorate in dentistry.
In her honor, each year AAWD presents the Lucy Hobbs Taylor Award to a woman dentist who:
- Demonstrates career excellence & professional achievement, leadership, mentorship & service, and impact on advancing women in dentistry
- Has a record of at least 10 years of membership in AAWD to include current membership (as verified by AAWD). AAWD Board Members are not eligible for the LHT Award unless it has been two years since they served on the AAWD Board of Directors.
- Has had a career as a licensed dentist for at least 20 years, as stated on the resumé or CV, to include jurisdiction and the exact years being claimed.
The Lucy Hobbs Taylor Award is the highest award given by our organization and honors a woman dentist who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, professional excellence, and a significant impact on advancing women in dentistry.
Deadline for submissions is June 30, 2026