Helen (Lena) Stavridou Astin (1932-2015)

Abstract

This article memorializes Helen (Lena) Stavridou Astin, who died at her home October 27, 2015 after a long illness. As only the second woman to earn a doctorate in psychology at the University of Maryland, Lena opened the door for other women. Her 1969 classic book, The Woman Doctorate in America, was the first to provide data to counteract the belief that highly educated women drop out of the labor force to concentrate on family. Within the American Psychological Association, Lena was the first chair of what became the Committee on Women in Psychology and the second president of the Division on the Psychology of Women (Division 35). She also served on several American Psychological Association governance boards. During her early years, she worked at the National Academy of Science, the Bureau of Social Science Research, and University Research Associates.