Florence Denmark
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Florence Denmark | |
|---|---|
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| Born | January 28, 1932 |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania |
| Known for | Past president, American Psychological Association |
| Awards | APA Award for Lifetime Contributions to Psychology |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Social psychology |
Florence Harriet Levin Denmark (born January 28, 1932) is an American psychologist and a past president of the American Psychological Association (APA) (1980-1981). She is a pioneering female psychologist who has influenced the psychological sciences through her scholarly and academic accomplishments in both psychology and feminist movements. She has contributed to psychology in several ways, specifically in the field of psychology of women and human rights, both nationally and internationally.[1]
Denmark held academic teaching positions at several colleges, researching social psychology topics regarding women and their social inequalities. Her research has emphasized status and gender, prejudice, leadership and leadership styles, and women.[2] Considered to be an important leader in the field, Denmark has actively focused on women's issues, including helping and empowering disadvantaged women, dedicating herself to being an influential feminist leader.
Early life and education
Denmark was born in 1932 in Philadelphia[3] to an attorney and a musician. She grew up with an older sister and a significant extended family.[4] Since childhood, Denmark was academically successful. She was actively involved during her adolescent years at Roxborough High School in Philadelphia and graduated as valedictorian of her high school class In 1948.
Following high school, Denmark studied history and psychology as an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania. While at the university, she became a member of Phi Sigma Sigma. [5] She was involved in undergraduate research and wrote an honor's thesis revolving around leadership and gender. Graduating with the first double undergraduate major with honors in 1952, she subsequently went on to continue her graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania.[6] While she was pursuing her graduate degree, Florence married Stanley Denmark - an orthodontist - in 1953.[4] After Denmark was awarded her PhD in social psychology in 1958,[4] she moved to New York with her husband and they had three children.[7]
Early career
While living in New York, Denmark accepted an adjunct faculty position at Queens College of the City University of New York. With encouragement from the head of the Queens college psychology program, Denmark accepted a full-time faculty position at Hunter College in 1964.[4][8] Here, Denmark continue to teach and conduct research until 1988, when she moved to Pace University and became the Robert Scott Pace Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Department of Psychology.[9]
