This article corresponds to a historical reconstruction of the beginnings of occupational therapy in the United States, a space where women assumed a leading role during the 20th century. It reviews the processes, interrelations and main strategies, as links to women's circles and alliances with male doctors, employed to position occupational therapy as an independent discipline of medicine. Furthermore, it explores the life and work of three important women in the profession: Julia Lathrop, Susan Tracy and Susan Cox Johnson. The methodology consisted of the documentary analysis of primary sources from a gender perspective. As a conclusión it points out the relevance of recognizing the position of women in the history of occupational therapy as fundamental pillars its construction.