Aptitude, efficiency and satisfaction: The careers of three pioneer female occupational psychologists

Abstract

This article describes the careers of three pioneer female occupational psychologists: May Smith, Mary Boole Stott and Winifred Raphael (née Spielman). They were all born in the 19th century, graduated within the first two decades of the 20th century and began work as occupations were beginning to open up to women and there was growing interest in improving efficiency in the work place. None of them intended to embark on careers in occupational psychology – Stott remarks that there was no such thing when she graduated – but all three made substantial contributions to the field, and promoted its acceptance among employers and the wider public1.