Women's History Month: Women in Music Therapy
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The history of music therapy is deeply intertwined with the leadership, creativity, and advocacy of women. From the earliest hospital programs to today’s research institutions and clinical settings, women have helped define the profession’s values, standards, and scope of practice.
Music therapy began to formalize in the mid-20th century, particularly after World War I and World War II, when musicians played for recovering veterans in hospitals. As the therapeutic benefits of music became more widely recognized, there was a growing need for structured training and professional standards. Women were among the first to step into these roles—developing curricula, leading clinical programs, and advocating for recognition of music therapy as a legitimate healthcare profession.
One influential pioneer was Juliette Alvin, who helped establish formal music therapy training in the United Kingdom and expanded its application for children with disabilities. In the United States, women were instrumental in shaping what would eventually become the American Music Therapy Association, contributing to certification standards, ethics, and research initiatives that continue to guide the profession today. Some notable women in early music therapy are Eva Augusta Vescelius, who in 1903 founded the National Society of Musical Therapeutics; Isa Maud Ilsen, who in 1926 founded the National Association for Music in Hospitals, and in 1941, Harriet Ayer Seymour founded the National Foundation of Music Therapy.
Throughout the decades, women have led innovation across diverse settings—schools, hospitals, mental health centers, hospice programs, and community organizations. They have authored textbooks, conducted groundbreaking research, supervised students, and mentored new clinicians entering the field. Their work has helped music therapy grow into an evidence-based discipline grounded in both science and creativity.
Women’s history in music therapy is not limited to a few well-known names. It lives in the everyday dedication of clinicians who advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and client-centered care. It is reflected in classrooms where future therapists are trained, in research labs studying neurological responses to music, and in therapy rooms where meaningful connections are built through music.
As we reflect on women’s contributions to music therapy, we celebrate a legacy of compassion, resilience, and innovation—one that continues to shape the future of the field.
Since we are celebrating not only women in March but also women IN music, please enjoy this Women’s History Month playlist!
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