Mary J. Wright

Mary J. Wright (1915-2014) was a Canadian psychologist who was a pioneer for women in psychology in Canada.

Mary J. Wright
Born
Mary J. Wright

1915 (1915)
Strathroy, Ontario, Canada
DiedApril 23, 2014(2014-04-23) (aged 98–99)
Strathroy, Ontario, Canada[1]
Alma materUniversity of Western Ontario, University of Toronto
Scientific career
InstitutionsUniversity of Western Ontario
Doctoral advisorBill Laine

Career

Mary J. Wright obtained her BA in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Western Ontario in 1935. This was followed by an MA from the University of Toronto. She then obtained a research post at the Institute of Child Study at the University of Toronto. During the war, she worked with evacuated children in Britain. In 1946, she joined the faculty at the University of Western Ontario. While there she completed her PhD (1949) on the effect of advancement classes for gifted students. She remained at the University of Western Ontario until her retirement becoming Chair of the Department of Psychology (1960–67) - the first woman in Canada to hold such a position.[2] She founded the University Laboratory Preschool. On her retirement, Wright was appointed professor emerita.[3] Wright was active in the Canadian Psychological Association becoming its first woman President and in many other regional associations for children and young people.

Publications
  • Wright, M. J. (1974). CPA: The first ten years. Canadian Psychologist, 15(2), 112–131.
  • Wright, M. J. (1980). Measuring the social competence of preschool children. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 12(1), 17–32.
  • Wright, M. J. & Myers, C. R. (Eds.).(1982). History of academic psychology in Canada. Toronto: Hogrefe.
  • Wright, M. J., & High, F. (1983). Compensatory education in preschool: A Canadian approach. The University of Western Ontario preschool project. Ypsilanti, MI: High/Scope Press.

Positions

Awards

Heritage

In 2001, the laboratory school at the University of Western Ontario named the Mary J. Wright laboratory school in honour of her work and contribution of $500,000 toward it. The Psychology Centre at Huron University College was named the Mary J. Wright Centre The new public school in Strathroy was named the Mary J. Wright School.[7] The History and Philosophy of Psychology section of the Canadian Psychological Association established a student award in her honour.[3]

References
  1. "Mary Wright". Denning's Strathroy Funeral Home. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  2. "Dr. Mary J. Wright". University of Western Ontario.
  3. Ball, Laura (2010). Rutherford, A. (ed.). "Profile of Mary Wright". Psychology's Feminist Voices Digital Archive. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  4. "Past Presidents - Canadian Psychological Association". 2018-07-12. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  5. "CPA Award Descriptions and Past Recipients - Canadian Psychological Association". 2018-08-08. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  6. "Dr. Mary J. Wright". University of Western Ontario.
  7. Martin, Chip (2 May 2014). "Mary Wright Led the Way". The London Free Press. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
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