Mary Lawson Neff facts for kids

Mary Lawson Neff (born December 4, 1862 – died November 1, 1945) was an important American doctor. She specialized in neurology, which studies the brain and nervous system. She was also a psychiatrist, helping people with their mental health. Mary Neff was the very first woman psychiatrist to work in Arizona.

Early Life and Education

Mary Lawson was born in Bellwood, Pennsylvania in 1862. Her parents were Orr E. Lawson and Mary Marshall Lawson. She went to Wilson College and earned her first degree there.

She decided to go to medical school when she was in her thirties, starting in 1896. In 1900, she finished her medical degree at the State University of Iowa. She also studied psychology, which is the study of the mind, with a famous psychologist named Carl Seashore.

A Doctor's Career

Mary Lawson Neff started her medical practice in Iowa for a short time. In 1905, she moved to Arizona. She moved there because her daughter needed a healthier climate.

In 1907, she moved back east. She joined the team at Cornell Medical College's clinic. This clinic helped people with nerve problems. She worked in different states like Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois. Later, she returned to Arizona. At that time, she was the only working neurologist in the state.

During World War I, Mary Neff led a special committee in Phoenix. This committee was part of the National Council of Defense. She also worked hard for public health in Arizona. She spoke to lawmakers on behalf of the Arizona Medical Association. Her efforts helped pass a law that created the Arizona Children's Colony. This was a place to help children in need. In 1916, she was invited to speak to the Arizona State Teachers' Association.

Mary Neff wrote a short book called Mental Hygiene in 1904. In this book, she explored how being tired can affect your mind and feelings. She especially focused on children. She suggested that activities like occupational therapy could help. She believed that "being bored" could be harmful, especially if you were already tired. She also noted that focusing too much on small, unimportant things was common for people feeling nervous.

While living in the Southwest, Mary Lawson Neff became interested in Native American stories. She collected tales from Pima and Tohono O'odham children. These children attended state schools.

In 1925, Neff moved to Los Angeles, California. There, she worked with UCLA Extension. She also gave talks to many women's groups. She published more articles in a medical journal called California and Western Medicine. Her last article was published in 1930.

Family Life

Mary Lawson married Francis Neff in 1888. They got married in Bombay, India. They had two children together, a daughter named Dorothy and a son named Philip.

Mary Lawson Neff passed away in 1945. She was 82 years old. Some of her important papers are kept at the Arizona Historical Society.