This doodle celebrates the 93rd birthday of Martha Bernal, the first Latina-Mexican American woman to earn a doctorate in psychology in the United States. She has dedicated much of her life’s work to promoting diversity in the field of psychology, paving the way for future generations.
Her parents were Mexican immigrants, and her family raised her and her sisters in Mexican culture. Ms. Bernal faced controversy during her student days as she was banned from speaking Spanish at school and her Bernal sisters were prevented from taking advanced courses. Dr. Bernal later said that this treatment at her school made her ashamed of her ethnicity. Additionally, her father initially did not support her leaving El Paso for higher education. Despite these challenges, Dr. Bernal graduated from Louisiana State University and received his master’s degree from New York University, Syracuse. Although she continued to face racism and sexism throughout her graduate program at Indiana University (and later in her job search), in 1962 she became the first Latina woman in the United States to receive a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. succeeded in obtaining the number.
Early in her career, she studied child psychology with a focus on behavior and development. She then devoted her time to promoting diversity in the field of psychology. Dr. Bernal helped develop more comprehensive training programs, recruitment methods, and research opportunities for minority psychologists. In 1979, she received the National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Mental Health for her work. She also helped found the National Hispanic Psychological Association later that year.
Throughout her career, Dr. Bernal received several additional awards from prestigious organizations such as Division 45 and the American Psychological Association. Her unwavering commitment to diversity has had a lasting impact on the field of psychology and inspired many women of color and scientists to pursue their dreams.
Happy 93rd Birthday, Dr. Martha Bernal!
