Who We Are

The Psychology of Black Women, Section One of Division 35, began as a committee on Black women's concerns. With vision and perseverance, the committee gained a more prominent voice within the Division and Section One, The Psychology of Black Women, was established in 1984. As a section, The Psychology of Black Women has its own bylaws and governance structure and has scheduled time for invited presentations at the American Psychological Association's annual convention.

Our Vision

• To create a forum where Black women can network and get mentoring and support from each other
• To provide outreach, guidance and mentoring to Black female students in Psychology
• To promote the development of methods of research and models of treatment and intervention that are ethnically, culturally, and gender appropriate for Black women
• To increase scientific understanding of those aspects of ethnicity, culture, and class among Black women which pertain to the psychology of women
• To maintain and increase the overall status of Black women in the profession of Psychology
• To increase the quality of education and training opportunities for Black women in Psychology
• To encourage the evolution and development of the specialty of the Psychology of Black Women as a science
• To advocate on behalf of Black women psychologists with respect to the formation of policies of Division 35
• To promote the general objectives of APA and Division 35
  
  

2009 President’s Message
Guerda Nicolas, PhD
University of Miami, Florida

Appreciation of the Past, Understanding the Present,
& Planning for the Future

1. Appreciation of the Past
1. Highlight the work of the founders in the creation of the committee which became a section within division 35-In collaboration with Dr. Nettles, one of the founders
2. Highlight the contributions of Black Women Psychologists in the field through a creation of a webpage in the section 1 website
3. Archiving the work of the section and the leaders of the section

2. Understanding of the Present
1. Increasing the visibility of the section within Division 35, APA, and the general public
2. Increasing membership
3. Retention our members
4. Creating a working executive committee membership that reflects Black women across the lifespan

3. Planning for the Future
1. Sustaining the vision, mission, and objectives of the section
2. Developing a 5 year strategic plan for the section, setting some priorities that will guide the operation procedure of the section
3. Ensuring that our policies and documents are in alignment with the division
   

2009 Executive Officers

Section I 2009 Executive Officers

2009 Call for Nominations

Membership

Section I membership application

Please fax your completed Section I membership application and $5 dues to 202-218-3599, or mail it to:

Division Services Office
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242

If sending a check, please make it payable to "APA Division 35."

Questions? Contact Keith Cooke at 202-216-7602 or div35@apa.org

Awards

The Carolyn Payton Early Career Award

2009 Award Winner

The Carolyn Payton Early Career Award is sponsored by Section I, the Psychology of Black Women, of the American Psychological Association’s Society for the Psychology of Women (Division 35). The award recognizes the achievement of a Black woman in the early stages of her career. The applicant must be no more than ten years post doctorate and the submitted work (article, book chapter or book) must be published. Although a submission need not focus exclusively on Black women, the specific concerns of Black women must be a focal point of the submission. Papers may be theoretical or empirically (qualitative or quantitative) based. Each submission will be evaluated on its creativity and must distinguish itself as making a major contribution to the understanding of the role of gender in the lives of Black women. If there are multiple authors, the applicant must be the first author. A $500 prize will be awarded. The award winner is announced at the Division 35 social hour at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association.

Psychology of Black Women Graduate Student Award

2009 Award Winner

APA Convention Program

APA Convention Program

In Memory of Dr. Toy Caldwell-Colbert

Dr. Toy Caldwell-Colbert transitioned peacefully on the morning of March 12, 2008, with loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and prayers during this time of need for her immediate and extended family.

Correspondence is being accepted care of The Colbert Family, 1602 Bentbrook Drive, Champaign, IL, 61822. The memorial service was held on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at First Presbyterian Church of Champaign at 11:00 am (see http://www.firstchurchchampaign.org/).

Toy was a dedicated psychologist and visionary member of APA committed to clinical science and practice and increasing attention to the specific needs of women and ethnic minorities (http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug07/colbert.html). Her leadership, mentorship, and warm heart will be missed by many, including her large extended professional family. In her honor, you may wish to remember those in your personal community that may suffer from the effects of cancer and mental health.

To remember her many contributions to our personal lives, psychology, commitment to education, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations are made on her behalf to her beloved alma mater where she had served on the Board of Trustees:

You may donate online at http://www.spelman.edu/alumnae/giving/ or by mail to Spelman College, Office of Institutional Advancement, Box 1551, 350 Spelman Lane, SW, Atlanta, GA 30314. Please be sure to note Dr. Toy Caldwell Colbert in the memo line so that your gift may be directed accordingly.

Central State University's Provost, Dr. A. Toy Caldwell-Colbert, passes away at 56

Dr. A. Toy Caldwell-Colbert, 56, of Champaign, Illinois

A. Toy Caldwell-Colbert: Family-Placed Death Notice