O'Shea, Harriet Eastabrooks, 1895-1986
Person
Dates
- Existence: October 27, 1895 - January 25, 1986
Biographical Information
Harriet Easterbrooks O'Shea was born in 1895 in Wisconsin. Her family encouraged educational and cultural acchievement for Harriet and her three siblings. O'Shea earned her Bachelor's (1916) and Master's (1917) degrees at the University of Wisconsin. After completing her degrees, O'Shea worked in statistics analysis for the War Department and for various cities and states collecting survey data to support the creation of year-round schools. During this time, she also served as the head of the English department, school psychologist, and principal of the Children's University School in New York City. She also taught at Bryn Mawr where she was the acting department head, and at Mills College where she was the student presonnel adivsor and director of the preschool laboratory. She earned her PhD from Columbia University in 1931 with an emphasis on applied research.
O'Shea joined the faculty at Purdue University after completing her PhD in 1931, and remained there until 1964. During this time, she was promoted from associate professor, eventually earning the title of Professor Emeritus. At Purdue, she taugh classes in child and adolescent development and clinical psychology. Additionally, she expanded the teaching and clinical resources for related fields at the university, and helped establish the nursery school. O'Shea was committed to service at the University, also serving as the Women's Personnel Director, working as a psychologist in Psychological Services as the psychological clinic she established, and trained clinical psycholodists that came through the program. O'Shea's applied research interests focused on the unique needs of children, including the importance of early identification of issues and preventative care.
Throughout her career, O'Shea had an indelible impact on the study of Psychology through her service to the American Psychological Association (APA). She advocated for the distinction between school and educational psychology. She was instrumental in the the Thayer Conference, where she was provided a forum for her assertions that psychology had a role in the educational system. O'Shea was instrumental in the creation of the Indiana Psychological Association, and the attainment of legal professional status for psychologists in the state. She also helped with the organization of the International Council of Women Psychologists, and served as the organization's president for several terms.
After retiring from Purdue, O'Shea moved to Massachusetts where she served in a mental health program as well as an educational collaborative program. She shared her experiences in clinical techniques and counseling as a mentor, staff member, and consultant. Harriet Easterbrooks O'Shea died in 1986.
O'Shea joined the faculty at Purdue University after completing her PhD in 1931, and remained there until 1964. During this time, she was promoted from associate professor, eventually earning the title of Professor Emeritus. At Purdue, she taugh classes in child and adolescent development and clinical psychology. Additionally, she expanded the teaching and clinical resources for related fields at the university, and helped establish the nursery school. O'Shea was committed to service at the University, also serving as the Women's Personnel Director, working as a psychologist in Psychological Services as the psychological clinic she established, and trained clinical psycholodists that came through the program. O'Shea's applied research interests focused on the unique needs of children, including the importance of early identification of issues and preventative care.
Throughout her career, O'Shea had an indelible impact on the study of Psychology through her service to the American Psychological Association (APA). She advocated for the distinction between school and educational psychology. She was instrumental in the the Thayer Conference, where she was provided a forum for her assertions that psychology had a role in the educational system. O'Shea was instrumental in the creation of the Indiana Psychological Association, and the attainment of legal professional status for psychologists in the state. She also helped with the organization of the International Council of Women Psychologists, and served as the organization's president for several terms.
After retiring from Purdue, O'Shea moved to Massachusetts where she served in a mental health program as well as an educational collaborative program. She shared her experiences in clinical techniques and counseling as a mentor, staff member, and consultant. Harriet Easterbrooks O'Shea died in 1986.
Citation
Crissey, Marie Skodak. "Obituary: Harriet Easterbrooks O'Shea (1895-1986)." American Psychologist, v. 43 (1), January, 1988, p. 71Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Harriet E. O'Shea papers
Collection — Box: Communal Collections 33, Placement: 05
Identifier: MSF 291
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of one folder which contains articles about and by Dr. Harriet E. OShea.
Dates:
1934 - 1947