Women's History Month
Honoring the Past Pioneers and Present Trailblazers in Psychology
As we celebrate Women's History Month, it's important to remember the groundbreaking contributions of women throughout various fields, including psychology. While history books mainly highlight the research and theoretical interventions of men, women played a pivotal role in the field as well. Despite facing discrimination, being denied acceptance into programs, and rejected from employment opportunities because of their gender, women challenged societal norms and paved the way for the present-day trailblazers.
Pioneers of the Past
We will begin with Mary Whiton Calkins, who is known for her work in the area of memory and self-psychology. She was the first woman to earn a PhD in psychology from Harvard but was denied, as women were not allowed to have graduate degrees at the time. She was also the first female president of the American Psychological Association (APA).
Mamie Phipps Clark was the first African American woman to earn a PhD from Columbia in social psychology. Her research helped eliminate school segregation in 1954 with Brown vs. Board of Education trial. Clark is known for the Clark Doll Test, which examined children's race knowledge, self-identity, and self-esteem.
Mary Ainsworth, an important figure within developmental psychology, contributed to the concept of attachment styles. Her work emphasized the importance of a child having a healthy relationship with their caregiver and she pioneered the “Stranger Situation” assessment. Ainsworth’s contributions had a major influence on our understanding of how attachment styles can affect one’s behavior later in life.
If we could mention all the many unsung heroes within the field of psychology the blog would be pages long! To name a few more, Karen Horney, Leta Stetter Hollingworth, Christine Ladd-Franklin, and Eleanor Maccoby are among the many other pioneering women who left a mark in the field of psychology.
Present-Day Trailblazers
Past pioneers provided the framework, but current women in psychology are shattering barriers and shaping the field. Angela Duckworth's research on grit and perseverance has changed our view of success and achievement. Carol S. Dweck's mindset theory highlights the importance of a growth mindset in resilience and learning. Nadine Burke Harris's pioneering work to incorporate trauma-informed treatment into the medical practice has helped address health disparities' core causes. Temple Grandin’s work has advanced our understanding of animal behavior and the autism spectrum while promoting neurodiversity and inclusivity.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate past pioneers and present trailblazers, it’s important to acknowledge that the journey toward gender equality in psychology is an ongoing undertaking. In the early 1900’s, only 12% of the therapists within the United States were women. As of 2017, women make up 75% of the therapists in the U.S. Nonetheless, there remains a gap in pay compared to the men in the field. Therefore, while progress has been made, there is still a lack of inclusive research and recognition involving the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. During this Women’s History Month, let’s honor the legacy of those that paved the way and amplify the voices of women in today’s psychology field. By doing so, we not only honor the achievements of these remarkable women but show our commitment to promoting gender equality in all aspects of life.