March is Women’s History Month, and it’s a great time to celebrate the many women who have made monumental contributions to psychology and mental health, paving the way for the advancements that continue to shape the discipline today.

From challenging societal norms to pioneering groundbreaking research, women in Psychology have been at the forefront of reshaping how we understand the human mind, mental health, and societal impacts on both. This Women’s History Month, let’s take a look back on the incredible work of several women who have left a lasting legacy in the fields of psychology and mental health.

Dorothea Dix (1802–1887): A Champion for Mental Health

“All experience shows that insanity seasonably treated is as certainly curable as a cold or a fever. Recovery is the rule; permanent disease the exception” 

Dorothea Dix was an early 19th-century activist whose efforts significantly transformed both the medical and mental health fields. Dix’s advocacy for the treatment of those with mental illness challenged the prevailing attitudes of the time and was key in the fight to reform mental health care in America.

She is also known for her work campaigning for the rights of indigenous populations, and played a pivotal role during the Civil War, where she helped recruit nurses for the Union Army, ultimately leading to important changes in the field of nursing.

Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark (1917–1983): The Power of Psychology in the Fight for Equality

“I think that whites and blacks should be taught to respect their fellow human beings as an integral part of being educated.” 

Dr. Mamie Phipps Clark’s work was instrumental in the fight against racial segregation and its psychological effects on African American children. As a Howard University graduate and psychologist, she and her husband Dr. Kenneth Bancroft Clark developed the “Doll Test”.

This test showed how segregation negatively impacted Black children’s self-esteem, and was completed in 1940, fourteen years before courts ruled to desegregate schools. This pivotal work would later play a crucial role in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Dr. Clark’s contributions not only advanced psychology but also supported the civil rights movement and the ongoing effort for racial equality.

Dr. Martha Bernal (1931–2001): Advancing Ethnic Minority Psychology

“However critical I might be of this country, I have felt grateful for the opportunities of which I availed myself.”

Dr. Martha Bernal was the first Latina to earn a Ph.D. in psychology in the United States. Her research has been critical to understanding the experiences of ethnic minorities. She contributed significantly to the development of ethnic minority psychology, and her work was instrumental in establishing the Board of Ethnic Minority Affairs of the American Psychological Association (APA).

As a passionate advocate for ethnic minority issues, Dr. Bernal helped establish multiple organizations, including the National Hispanic Psychology Association and the National Latino/a Psychological Association, ensuring that these voices were heard and represented in psychological research and practice. Bernal was also a member of the Committee on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Affairs.

Dr. E. Kitch Childs (1937–1993): Advocating for Feminism and LGBTQ+ Rights

“We must generate a systematic method for conflict resolution so as to lose none of the power of our anger in useless wheel spinning… By so doing we may amplify and augment sisterly cooperation, understanding and in the meantime enhance our self empowerment.”

Dr. E. Kitch Childs, a prominent clinical psychologist, was an advocate for both feminist and LGBTQ+ rights. Throughout her career, she worked to revise the APA’s stance on homosexuality and fought for the rights of marginalized groups. Dr. Childs, a founding member of the Association for Women in Psychology, believed in the importance of conflict resolution and sisterly cooperation, particularly among feminist and LGBTQ+ communities.

She lost two brothers to racial violence, including her brother, Kenny Clark, a famous jazz percussionist, leaving her as the last surviving member of the family. Her work not only advanced psychology but also advocated for social justice, equality, and the recognition of diverse sexual identities. 

Bebe Moore Campbell (1950–2006): Raising Awareness for Minority Mental Health

“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”

Bebe Moore Campbell was a pioneering advocate for mental health awareness, particularly in underserved Black communities. As a three time New York Times bestselling author, teacher, and journalist, Campbell used her platform to address the mental health struggles faced by marginalized communities, especially in her own community in Inglewood, California.

After her own struggles to find mental health care for her daughter who suffered from mental illness, Campbell founded the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)-Inglewood, a safe space for Black individuals to discuss mental health concerns. Her advocacy led to the establishment of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, which was formally recognized by Congress in 2008, highlighting the unique mental health challenges faced by minority groups.

Dr. Leda Cosmides (1957–Present): Pioneering Evolutionary Psychology

“Form follows function: the properties of an evolved mechanism reflect the structure of the task it evolved to solve.”

A leader in the field of evolutionary psychology, Dr. Leda Cosmides has been instrumental in reshaping how we understand human behavior. With an A.B. in biology and her Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Harvard, Dr. Cosmides helped lay the foundation for evolutionary psychology, which examines how human psychology and behavior have evolved to address survival and reproduction. Her collaboration with John Tooby led to the publication of The Adapted Mind: Evolutionary Psychology and the Generation of Culture in 1992, a landmark work that helped establish evolutionary psychology as a recognized field within psychology.

Celebrating the Women of Psychology and Mental Health

As with most fields of study, the contributions of women to the field of psychology and mental health cannot be overstated. From Dorothea Dix’s reforms to Bebe Moore Campbell’s advocacy for minority mental health, these women have been instrumental in shaping the discipline and advocating for societal change. Their groundbreaking work continues to inspire future generations of psychologists, mental health professionals, and advocates dedicated to understanding the complexities of the human mind and ensuring equal access to mental health care for all.

This Women’s History Month, as we celebrate both the contributions of these remarkable women and the strength, resilience, and perseverance of women working in and studying Mental Health and Psychology currently, we’re reminded that this field wouldn’t be where it is today without their unwavering dedication and trailblazing spirit.