Optometry Divas is the premier organization for female optometrists in the US. We are a community where women ODs empower each other’s confidence, build meaningful connections to promote each other’s success. This is our story as told by our founder, Dr. Lauretta Justin. 

“Imagine feeling overworked, overwhelmed, stressed out and exhausted every day! That’s where I was in 2015, when the idea of Optometry Divas was born. At that time, I was doing my best to manage a busy practice and a busy home with 3 young boys and two of them with special needs. I was always stressed out, overwhelmed and overworked. I was struggling to keep up with the never ending list of to-do’s and felt stuck in the chaos. I was afraid I would never be able to get out. 

It was around that time that the following thoughts began running through my head: “I wonder if there are other women in my community who are going through the same things I am and feel the same way I do?”

“What if there was a place where women like us could connect with and empower each other?” 

“What if in that community, women like us could get the tools we needed to equip us as doctors, as entrepreneurs and as women? A place where we could learn, share, relax and have fun together? A place that would help us become the CEO of our lives.”

“What if…?”

I looked everywhere for such a community but I couldn’t find one. Then I thought, what if I did something about that? What if I started it? As great as that idea sounded, I was terrified. Even if I wanted to do it, where would I start? I didn’t have any connections in the industry and I was not a KOL for any companies. No one in the industry knew who I was. Even in my community, no one knew who I was. Why would anyone ever join?

Then the negative thinking began… “I can’t do this. I am not qualified. Besides I don’t know anyone and I don’t even know where to start. I am not smart enough, not popular enough and not pretty enough to do something like this. No one would even want to be part of it. This is crazy…“

But, in spite of all the anxiety I felt, I knew that I had to do it. I knew that this idea was bigger than me and wasn’t even about me. I knew that it was about a greater purpose.  After agonizing for weeks about whether I should take action to bring this idea to life, I did finally make the decision to go for it. 

I sent out an email invitation to the ladies in my community and invited them to my office to hear my idea. I still remember how I felt when I finally clicked the “send button” on my computer. I was sweating, my teeth were chattering and my pulse was racing.  But there was no going back, the invitations were sent. I was terrified no one would come. But to my amazing surprise, on June 23, 2015, we had our very 1st meeting with myself and 4 other women ODs in my city. Amazing!!! I couldn’t believe it!

Since that first meeting in 2015, we’ve hosted over 500 events, grown to a network of 1500+ women with 14 local chapters in the US. 

It’s amazing what can happen when you decide to dream big and take some risks. In this incredible journey, I’ve had many setbacks and fallen on my face many times, but I’ve also made many lifelong friends, and became more successful in many areas of my life. All the lessons that I’ve learned and are still learning have helped discover my power to take my place as CEO of my life. As a result, I no longer live in the chaos. I am waayyyy less stressed and I am no longer overworked.  

Just like Marianne Williamson, I discovered that… “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?” 

So I ask you the same question I once asked myself… Who are you not to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? You are powerful beyond measure and that’s what I hope you discover when you join Optometry Divas. 

I am inviting you to join me in this journey of discovery so we can empower each other, connect with each other and promote each other’s success.  My hope is that when you become one of the D.I.V.A.S., you too will discover your own power to dream big, take risks and become the CEO of You!