Ignored But Not Forgotten: The Work of Helen Bradford Thompson Woolley

Helen Bradford Thompson, later Woolley, published The Mental Traits of Sex in 1903, in which she proved that women's intelligence did not differ from men's. Investigating aspects of mental functioning, Thompson concluded that men's and women's intelligence was similar and that upbringing accounted for small differences, rather than biology. Woolley investigated differences in school children and working children, and showed that leaving school to go to work did not benefit children. This finding contributed to the passage of child labor laws. Woolley also worked in early childhood education, special education, and vocational guidance. Despite these accomplishments, Woolley never held a tenure-track position and was fired early in the Depression. The author of three books and approximately fifty articles, she was unsuccessful in obtaining another position. This author ponders the difficulties that women academics encountered early in the twentieth century. Woolley was a pioneer, breaking ground for women in academe today.