Danielle Washburn, a valued member of the Plant Operations Department at Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus, is more than just an employee. She’s a voice for inclusion, a symbol of bravery, and a member of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) work group. But her path to living authentically as a woman has been anything but easy. Danielle was born and raised in a military family — assigned male at birth — and spent decades struggling with gender dysphoria in silence. Today, she stands proud in her truth, using her story to inspire change and advocate for transgender rights in healthcare and beyond.
A Childhood of Confusion and Suppression
Gender Identity Struggles at an Early Age
Danielle’s childhood was marked by a profound sense of misalignment. Raised as a boy in a traditional military household, she often gravitated toward activities and clothes deemed feminine. Her affection for wearing her sister’s clothes and yearning for “the pretty pink stuff” during Christmas were early signs of a deeper truth — one that was suppressed by societal norms and a therapist who insisted, “You’re a boy, and you’re going to be a boy.”
Loneliness and Depression in Adolescence
As she grew older, these feelings only intensified. In middle school, Danielle felt out of place in the boys’ gym, longed to wear female undergarments, and began experiencing deep depression. With no one to talk to and no understanding of her identity, she was hospitalized multiple times during her youth. “I didn’t understand I was transgender,” she reflects.
Adulthood: Attempts to Conform and Hidden Identity
Marriage and Internal Conflict
In her early 20s, Danielle tried to follow a “normal” life path by getting married. Yet, the internal conflict remained. While her wife was away at work, Danielle would wear her clothes, feeling momentarily at peace. Even her mother-in-law, unaware of the true reason, gifted her a skirt and pantyhose — items that brought immense joy.
Life in a Masculine World
She worked at Lowe’s and served in the Hartly Fire Company, where she began cautiously expressing her femininity — wearing leggings in public and gradually becoming more comfortable with herself. Despite these small acts of courage, the marriage dissolved. She continued searching for love and connection, leading to her second marriage.
Longing for Motherhood and a Female Role
Parenthood and Emotional Conflict
During her second marriage, Danielle became a parent to two boys. However, the joy was tinged with emotional complexity. She deeply wished to be the one carrying the baby, to be called “Mommy,” and to breastfeed — feelings she couldn’t explain at the time. “I wanted to be Mommy,” she recalls with heartfelt emotion.
The Turning Point: Transitioning and Embracing Identity
A Career Change and the Start of Transition
In April 2018, Danielle began working at Bayhealth. Around the same time, she was diagnosed with gender dysphoria — a moment of clarity that sparked the beginning of her medical transition. With counseling and hormone therapy, she began the process of aligning her body with her identity.
Coming Out to Her Wife and Workplace
Danielle revealed her diagnosis to her wife, who offered support but admitted she couldn’t remain married to a woman. Still, she acknowledged Danielle’s right to happiness. At work, her supervisor was incredibly supportive, even involving HR to ensure a respectful and inclusive environment. Danielle became the first openly transgender employee at Bayhealth to transition — a milestone that led to overwhelming support and acceptance from coworkers.
The Challenges of Family and the Fight for Acceptance
Custody and Emotional Turmoil
Though her wife left and took the children, Danielle fought for joint custody and succeeded. Her sons, recognizing her love and care, began calling her “Mom” on their own. However, their mother resisted the title. Today, they affectionately call her “Lizzie,” short for Danielle Elizabeth Washburn. Still, Danielle proudly wears a gold heart necklace inscribed with “Mom,” cherishing her maternal role.
Newfound Confidence, Community, and Advocacy
From Isolation to Empowerment
Despite personal challenges, Danielle found strength through community and advocacy. From joining the Trans Alliance in Rehoboth Beach to sharing her experience at nursing orientations and speaking on educational panels, she’s become a beacon of hope and empowerment. Her involvement in the HEI work group underscores her commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ healthcare equality.
A Life Transformed
Today, Danielle celebrates her truth unapologetically. She no longer hides who she is and has built a supportive network of friends and allies. “I thought I’d be lonely forever,” she says. “Now I will not change me.”
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: Who is Danielle Washburn?
A: Danielle Washburn is a transgender woman who works at Bayhealth Hospital and is an active advocate for LGBTQ+ rights through the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) work group.
Q2: What challenges did Danielle face during her transition?
A: Danielle faced emotional suppression from childhood, relationship breakdowns, workplace stigma, custody battles, and internal conflict while navigating her gender identity.
Q3: How did Bayhealth Hospital support Danielle’s transition?
A: Bayhealth supported her with open arms. Her supervisor sought HR guidance, and her colleagues offered her warmth and encouragement during her transition.
Q4: What is gender dysphoria?
A: Gender dysphoria refers to the psychological distress experienced when a person’s gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
Q5: How is Danielle contributing to the LGBTQ+ community now?
A: Danielle participates in advocacy groups, shares her story through educational panels, and actively works with Bayhealth’s HEI group to foster a more inclusive environment.
