Ruth Winifred Howard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruth Howard
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Ruth Winifred Howard, from the 1920 yearbook of Howard University
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| Born | March 25, 1900 |
| Died | February 12, 1997 (aged 96) Washington D.C.
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| Occupation | Psychologist |
| Known for | Being one of the first African American women to receive a Ph.D. in Psychology |
| Spouse(s) | Albert Sidney Beckham |
Ruth Winifred Howard (born March 25, 1900 – died February 12, 1997) was an American psychologist. She is famous for her work helping students with special needs. Ruth Howard was one of the very first African American women to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology. She was also active in many important groups, like the American Psychological Association.
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Early Life and Inspiration
Ruth Winifred Howard was born in Washington D.C. on March 25, 1900. She was the youngest of eight children. As a child, Ruth loved to read and dreamed of becoming a librarian. Her mother, Alverda Brown Howard, really encouraged her reading.
Ruth's father, Reverend William J. Howard, was very active in their community. His work inspired Ruth to want to help others. This passion later led her to work with children who had disabilities. In 1916, she graduated from the famous M Street High School, now called Dunbar High School.
Education and Career Journey
After high school, Ruth went to Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied social work there. In 1921, she earned her first degree, a bachelor's degree. She then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to start working as a social worker.
Ruth soon returned to Simmons College and earned her master's degree in 1927. She then received a special scholarship called the Laura Spelman Rockefeller fellowship in 1929 and 1930. This scholarship helped her study at Columbia University and the University of Minnesota. She focused on child psychology and how children grow and learn.
In 1934, Ruth Howard made history. She earned her Ph.D. in psychology and child development from the University of Minnesota. This made her one of the first African American women to achieve this.
Studying Triplets
For her Ph.D. project, Ruth studied the development of triplets. She found that triplets often showed less overall development compared to children born alone. After getting her doctorate, she worked at the Illinois Institute for Juvenile Research. Later, she started her own private practice where she helped people with clinical psychology.
Working with Children and Nurses
From 1940 to 1964, Ruth Howard worked with her husband, Albert Sidney Beckham. They co-directed the Center for Psychological Services. During this time, Ruth also worked as a psychologist at the Provident Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago. This hospital trained African American nurses. She also advised other nursing schools and gave lectures.
After 1964, she continued her important work. She was a psychologist at the McKinley Center for Retarded Children from 1964 to 1966. Then she worked at Worthington and Hurst Psychological Consultants until 1968. Finally, she became a psychologist for the Chicago Board of Health until 1972.
Community Involvement
Ruth Howard believed in helping her community. She volunteered with the Young Women's Christian Association of Chicago (YWCA). She also helped organize the National Association of College Women.
She was a member of several important professional groups. These included the American Psychological Association and the International Council of Women Psychologists.
Personal Life
In 1934, Ruth married Albert Sidney Beckham. They moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she lived until 1987. Albert passed away in 1964. Ruth continued her work in Chicago, helping children and working as a consultant. She passed away on February 12, 1997, in Washington, D.C. She was also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
