Katy Lemay Illustrates the History of Medical Misogyny for The Persistent

Katy Lemay illustrated an article for The Persistent exploring the long and complex history of medical misogyny and its continuing impact on women’s healthcare.

Written by Lorraine Boissoneault, the article examines how medical beliefs, practices, and biases from the past have shaped the way women are understood, treated, and represented within healthcare today.

For this project, Lemay brought her distinctive editorial collage illustration style to the subject, combining layered imagery, unexpected visual connections, and symbolic elements to create an evocative interpretation of the article’s themes. Her collage-based approach allows complex historical and social issues to be communicated through imagery that is both thought-provoking and visually engaging.

The article also tells the story of Elizabeth Packard, a 19th-century advocate who fought for the rights and treatment of people confined to asylums. After experiencing institutionalization herself, Packard dedicated much of her life to challenging the laws and practices that denied patients basic rights. Her advocacy contributed to legal reforms aimed at improving conditions and protecting the rights of people confined to mental institutions.

Through Lemay’s expressive collage artwork and editorial illustration, the project connects this history to ongoing conversations about gender, healthcare, and women’s health.

A powerful exploration of how the history of medicine continues to influence women’s experiences in healthcare today.

Art Director: Francesca Donner