Women ground-breakers in Canadian psychology: World War II and its aftermath.

Abstract

During World War II qualified women in psychology became highly valued. At home they filled academic posts vacated by men serving overseas. Abroad they assumed leadership roles in military or non-military but warrelated activities. The impact of these war-time achievements on their status is explored through a study of the post war participation of women in the power structure of the Canadian Psychological Association and a comparative study of the careers of the women and men who obtained I'h.Ds in psychology at the University of Toronto just before, during and just after the war.

In Our Own Voice: The Impact of Feminism on Canadian Psychology

“…On the occasion of this special issue of Feminism & Psychology, it is appropriate to consider the historical development of feminist psychology in Canada, to assess the impact of feminism on the field, and to consider directions for the future. Fortunately, there are a number of accessible accounts of aspects of the history of Canadian feminist psychology, many written by those who indelibly shaped and influenced its emergence and development (see, for example, Austin, 2003;Boatswain et al, 2001;de la Cour, 1987;Gurevich, 2001;Pyke, 1992Pyke, , 2001Pyke and Stark-Adamec, 1981;Wright, 1993). Archival resources are also being established in Canadian psychology, some of which focus specifically on women in the field.…”

Reconstructing the experiences of first generation women in Canadian psychology.

“…In 1950, Florence Snodgrass was brought to UNB as full professor and head of the department to replace Thompson Welch who had taken a position at Dalhousie (C. R. Myers, 1969b). Arnold became a full professor in 1952 at Loyola University in Chicago (Held, 2010;M. J. Wright, 1992).…”

“…Ainsworth attained the rank of full professor in 1963 at Johns Hopkins University (M. J. Wright, 1992), and in the same year Leola Neal became a full professor at the University of Western Ontario (M. J. Wright, 1992) To construct a more thorough history it is necessary not only to describe this group of women, but also to situate them contextually.…”

“…Wright, 1992), and in the same year Leola Neal became a full professor at the University of Western Ontario (M. J. Wright, 1992) To construct a more thorough history it is necessary not only to describe this group of women, but also to situate them contextually. Next, we describe the broader academic, social, and political landscapes in which early Canadian women were pursuing university education and careers in psychology.…”

“…1 Although much less is known about Canadian psychology's women's history-particularly the earliest generation of women psychologists-our work does build on a small number of valuable studies (e.g., de la Cour, 1987;Keates & Stam, 2009; M. J. Wright, 1992). 2 Mary J.…”