APA presented a 2011 Outstanding Lifetime Contribution to Psychology Award to social psychologist and former APA President Florence L. Denmark, PhD, for her longtime commitment to women across the lifespan. Denmark's research on women and girls and advocacy for women's rights encouraged more attention to the topic from psychology and the public. "Your 50 years of activity in this sphere has changed the work and lifestyles of women everywhere," reads the citation.
Denmark's efforts to advance psychology internationally also earned her APA's top honor. She is the main representative to the United Nations for both APA and the International Council of Psychologists. She has chaired the U.N. Committee on Ageing for six years, where she has championed the mental health, well-being and human rights of older adults to U.N. leaders. Denmark is also the Robert Scott Pace Distinguished Research Professor at Pace University.