Takin' It To the Streets

Many feminist psychologists are also social justice activists who challenge the systems and structures that oppress and marginalize members of their communities. The work of these psychologists extends beyond their academic careers. They literally take to the streets to engage in political organizing at municipal, state, provincial, and national levels. This exhibit features some of these activist psychologists, highlighting their achievements in movements that were aimed at improving conditions for women, LGBTQ, and racialized communities. Their work reminds us of the importance of collective action for social change.

E. Kitch Childs

an African American lesbian psychologist, was an advocate for LGBTQ rights, civil rights, and sex workers' rights. She was one of the founders of the Association for Women in Psychology and a pioneer of feminist therapy.

Naomi Weisstein

was raised in a tradition of radical Jewish activism and was involved in the New Left and women’s liberation movements. She was a co-founder of the Chicago Women’s Liberation Union, a comedian, and a neuroscientist.

Olivia Hooker

survived the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. She received her PhD in psychology and was the first Black woman in the United States Coast Guard. She helped establish the Tulsa Race Massacre Commission.

Sandra Pyke

participated in protests against Canada's abortion laws and organized an “Underground Symposium” for feminist psychologists whose ideas had been rejected by their national psychology association.

Nancy Baker

studied psychology but left the field to work as a machinist and a labor activist. After 12 years in the industrial workforce and activist organizations, she returned to psychology to bring greater class consciousness into the field.

Explore more stories...

of inspiring activism by feminist psychologists and women throughout history.

Credits

Curated by Susannah Mulvale, 2020

Citation: Mulvale, S. (2020). Takin' it to the streets. Psychology's Feminist Voices digital exhibit.