Beatrice Dorothy Wade: Philosopher, Administrator, and Advocate

Abstract

Occupational therapist, Beatrice D. Wade, contributed to occupational therapy through her interest in the philosophy of professional autonomy, in educational program administration and curriculum design, in mental health advocacy and in service to the profession as an office holder during her occupational therapy career spanning the years 1925–1971. The purpose of this article is to document her life, work, and contributions and to summarize her impact on current professional autonomy, and philosophy of education and practice.

Keywords:

• Advocacy
• biography
• mental health services
• occupational therapy education
• occupational therapy philosophy
• professional autonomy

About the author

Kathlyn L. Reed, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, MLIS is Associate Professor Emeritus, Sophie L. Rydin School of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman’s University, Houston, TX, USA.

Declaration of Interest

The author has no conflicts of interest to report and received no financial assistance in the preparation of the manuscript.

Notes

1 Allen also helped found the Iowa Occupational Therapy Association in 1925 (Des Moines Register, 1925).

2 In 1927, Allen accepted the position at the Cook County Hospital from which she retired (AOTA, 1933; Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL), 1961).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.