Gwendolyn Puryear Keita, PhD, was awarded a Presidential Citation for her sustained and unwavering commitment to promoting psychology in the public interest.
Keita has been the embodiment of service devoted to applying the science and practice of psychology to address inequities, advance social justice and improve people's lives. As executive director of APA Public Interest Directorate, associate executive director of Public Interest and director of the Women's Programs Office, Keita has impacted change. She was instrumental in developing the field of occupational health psychology, beginning with the first occupational stress conference in 1990 and eventually partnering with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Society for Occupational Health Psychology — a collaboration that has convened 11 international interdisciplinary conferences on work, stress and health. She had a pivotal role in the establishment of APA's Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. She's an author and speaker on issues ranging from women's health, mental health, and occupational stress, to intimate partner violence and civil rights and discrimination. Keita has presented before the U.S. Congress on depression, violence and other impact issues. An APA member since 1978 and fellow since 1993, she is also a fellow of Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (APA Div. 9), Society for the Psychology of Women (APA Div. 35), Society for Health Psychology (APA Div. 38), and Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race (APA Div. 45). Keita is a proven leader in the field of psychology who has led with passion, tenacity and grace. The profession and the world have been made better because of her life, competence, spirit and leadership.