As the nation goes to the polls this month, I am inspired by the unprecedented number of women of color running for office. Unfortunately, that trend is just starting to be seen at APA. In the association’s 126-year history, only a handful of women of color have been elected to serve on APA’s Board of Directors. That’s why I encourage women psychologists of color to run for an APA office, build on the successes of those who have already served and truly represent our diverse membership. These women are:
Alice F. Chang, PhD, a scientist-practitioner, served on the board from 1994 to 1997. She successfully raised awareness of people of color in APA governance. “I think it demonstrated that we could make it to function at that level,” she says.
Melba J.T. Vasquez, PhD, another scientist-practitioner, served on the board from 2007 to 2009 and as APA’s 2011 president. She supported three major initiatives: immigration, preventing discrimination and promoting diversity, and addressing educational disparities.
Josephine D. Johnson, PhD, a practitioner and a board member from 2012 to 2014, was known to serve the entire field. “I am especially proud because it means that others recognized my effort to represent all of psychology, not just my area of specialization,” she says.
Jean Lau Chin, EdD, a professor at Adelphi University, served on the board from 2016 to 2017 as chair of the Council Leadership Team. In this inaugural position, she helped to expand the Council of Representatives’ role as a policymaking body and an active voice for our association.
Jennifer F. Kelly, PhD, a clinical psychologist, is the first black woman to serve as a board officer, as recording secretary since 2013. She is now in her ninth year of board service. As she says, with the support of colleagues, “you never know where leadership will take you.”
Le Ondra Clark Harvey, PhD, a behavioral health association lobbyist in California with two young children, and who joined the board this year, offers a unique perspective: “I believe my background helps to bring a more balanced presence and view to the board, which has traditionally been populated with seasoned career professionals.”
Rosie Phillips Davis, PhD, of the University of Memphis, APA’s next president, previously served on the board from 2009 to 2011. “My greatest contribution to the board is speaking up for those not in the room even when it is difficult,” she says.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank the women of color who, as chair of our student organization, APAGS, also served as APA board members: Rachel Casas, PhD (2007), Nadia Hasan, PhD (2008) and Konjiit Page, PhD (2010).
