4 Martha Bernal

Throughout history, many voices have been excluded from the works that have shaped the perspective of knowledge in psychology. Men and women of color have predominantly been sidelined as their hard work and dedication were denied many rights. Women were not even allowed to study with men and often were denied the degrees they worked so hard to earn. This paper will share the journey of Martha Bernal’s challenges as she overcame them on her way to becoming the first woman of Mexican descent to earn her Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

General Biography

Martha Bernal, born on April 13, 1931, in San Antonio, Texas, to Alicia and Enrique Bernal, emerged as a pioneering figure in psychology, breaking barriers and advocating for diversity throughout her distinguished career (Vasquez M. J., 2022). Raised in El Paso, Texas, Bernal faced substantial discrimination against herself and the Mexican-American community, with schools punishing the use of Spanish by Mexican children (Women’s Intellectual Contributions, n.d.). These early experiences shaped her bi-cultural identity, instilling a sense of shame about her heritage and a profound connection with her identity as a person of color, which would later become a focal point of her work (George, 2012).

Bernal’s journey through education was marked by determination and resilience. Despite challenges, including societal disapproval and discouragement from professors, she graduated from high school as a Mexican female, a significant accomplishment at a time when Hispanic girls faced high dropout rates (Weis, 2021). Undeterred, Bernal pursued higher education, facing initial resistance from her father. With unwavering support from her mother and sister Cristina, she began her college career at Texas Western College, now known as The University of Texas at El Paso (Women’s Intellectual Contributions, n.d.). Overcoming economic challenges, she ventured into graduate studies in psychology, earning her Master of Arts in Psychology from Syracuse University in 1955 and pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Indiana University, Bloomington (Weis, 2021).

Graduate school presented heavy challenges for Bernal, characterized by sexism and racism prevalent in academia during that era. She navigated an environment where female students, especially those of color, were excluded from research projects. Bernal’s determination was further tested when her dissertation mentor passed away. However, with the support of peers and faculty, she completed her Ph.D. in 1962, marking a significant triumph over academic, financial, gender, and racial adversities (Weis, 2021).

Post-Ph.D., Bernal faced discrimination in pursuing faculty positions, leading her to a U.S. Public Health Service Postdoctoral Fellowship. Her impactful career began at the University of California, Los Angeles, Health Science Center, where she delved into classical conditioning for autistic children (American Psychological Association, 2012). Subsequent positions at the University of Arizona and UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute showcased her commitment to understanding and treating behavior problems in children, emphasizing the importance of social factors in assessment and treatment (Women’s Intellectual Contributions, n.d.).

Bernal’s commitment to addressing sexism and racism in her personal experiences led her to extensive research on multicultural populations. In 1979, she received a National Research Service Award, facilitating her study on how psychologists prepared to work with diverse populations (American Psychological Association, 2012). A pivotal moment in her advocacy journey was the establishment of the National Hispanic Psychological Association, where she became the second president, shaping it into a crucial support system for Hispanic psychologists (American Psychological Association, 2012).

Returning to Arizona State University in 1986, Bernal and colleague George Knight focused on studying ethnic identity and its implications for adaptation in novel cultures. Her dedication to leadership roles, involvement in drafting the Board of Ethnic Minority Affairs by-laws, and establishment of BEMA showcased her passion for promoting diversity in the field (Vasquez M. J., 2022). Despite battling health issues, including three cancer recurrences, Bernal persisted in her contributions until her passing on September 28, 2001, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking achievements and unwavering advocacy for underrepresented voices. Bernal was the first Mexican woman to obtain a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, earning her numerous honors underscore her profound impact on the field, inspiring future generations and solidifying her position as a trailblazer and advocate for diversity in psychology.

Important Achievements

Martha Bernal was the first woman of Mexican descent to complete and be awarded her Ph.D. in clinical psychology (American Pscyhological Association, 2012). She made history and broke barriers of her time, which opened the doors to future ethnic minority gender and psychologists. She focused on diversity in training, recruitment, and research for psychologists (Weis, 2021). In 1966, Bernal researched and established a pioneering laboratory dedicated to studying responses and classical conditioning in autistic children with the help of a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Bernal worked to understand the severity of learning theory and methods for treating and assessing children with behavior problems (Vasquez M. J., 2022). She contributed significantly to the impact and development of treatment therapies.

Bernal was dedicated to bringing awareness to minority injustice and ensuring that students of color had the opportunity to receive graduate training (Vasquez M. J., 2022). Thanks to Bernal’s National Research Service Award from NIMH in 1979, she promoted the importance of multicultural education in APA-accredited clinical psychology programs (American Pscyhological Association, 2012). Bernal became a psychologist mentor of color, inspiring many professionals and contributing to understanding the identity of Mexican American children. Bernal and colleague George Knight worked alongside graduate and undergraduate students to develop a methodology for measuring ethnic identity, collected normative data, and studied the developmental course of ethnic identity and its correlates in Mexican American children (Vasquez M. J., 2022). Her research has been widely published, researched, and studied today as it has had an incredible impact on psychology.

Later, Bernal became involved in drafting the Board of Ethnic Minority Affairs (BEMA) by-laws and the complex process involved in establishing BEMA (Vasquez M. J., 2022). She played a crucial role in various leadership positions, such as serving on the BEMA Education and Training Committee Steering Committee Task Force and establishing the National Hispanic Psychological Association, where she became the second president and treasurer. This organization became the support system of Hispanic psychologists that would provide collaboration, mentorship, and advocacy within the field. Bernal was passionate about her ideas, spoke out effectively against injustice, maintained high standards of scholarship and professionalism, demonstrated much compassion for fellow human beings, and had considerable energy (Vasquez M. J., 2022). Her work dove into the complexities of identity formation among minority youth, contributing valuable insights to the psychological understanding of cultural identity and promoting diversity in the field.

Historical Context

A prevalent misrepresentation of women and ethnic minorities in psychology significantly impacted Martha Bernal’s life and achievements. Education for women alone was considered unnecessary, and having an ethnic background only increased discriminatory acts. Bernal’s personal experience growing up as a Mexican American in a bicultural environment exposed her to the challenges faced by individuals of minority in all aspects of life, motivating her to make a difference. She attended graduate school during an era when women and ethnic minorities were vastly underrepresented in psychology among both faculty and students (American Psychologist Association, 2001). Despite the prevalent prejudice and obstacles, Bernal drew inspiration and motivation from the support of her family and friends, propelling her to achieve spectacular success in her chosen field (George, 2012).

As a female Mexican-American, Bernal encountered numerous challenges from an early age. In kindergarten, she was not allowed to speak her first language, Spanish, leaving a sense of shame over her heritage. In high school, professors advised her and her sisters to avoid challenging courses, with her cultural background as an immediate characteristic that foreshadowed her future in society’s eyes. Overcoming family pressure and societal expectations, she fought for the opportunity to attend college, challenging traditional gender roles and prevailing stereotypes (Women’s Intellectual Contributions, n.d.).

Her journey through graduate school was marked by further adversity. Bernal and only one other student of color faced a predominantly white male environment. Female graduate students were rarely invited to work with professors on research projects, and mainstream research primarily involved white students (American Psychologist Association, 2001). Even after earning her Ph.D., Bernal faced gender-based discrimination, being denied faculty positions solely because she was a woman.

Respect and equality in the workplace and education were significant issues, and the primary reasons Bernal pursued higher education. Influenced by the prejudice she faced in school and the doubt from high school and college professors, Bernal fought her way to the top, focusing her research on multicultural psychology programs. Her work in communities and leadership in professional associations significantly contributed to the evolution of the psychology landscape during her prominent years. Bernal’s groundbreaking achievement as the first Mexican American to earn her Ph.D. in clinical psychology and her contributions to multicultural psychology have inspired numerous students, professors, and professionals. Her involvement and leadership in committees, task forces, and training have influenced the initiation of proper procedures and policies in these organizations, impacting the field of psychology.

Melba Vasquez played a crucial role in Martha Bernal’s life and career. As her mentor and friend, Vasquez, the first Latina president of the American Psychological Association, pioneered multicultural psychology. Inspired by Vasquez’s work and leadership, Bernal followed in her footsteps, promoting the importance of multicultural psychology in communities and professional associations. Vasquez’s legacy inspires generations of psychologists, especially women and those from ethnic minority backgrounds, to pursue their dreams and make a difference in the field.

During Martha Bernal’s time in psychology, the United States underwent significant social and political changes, marked by the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Liberation Movement. These movements aimed to ensure respect and equality for everyone regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity. Bernal’s experiences growing up as a Mexican-American woman in a bicultural environment fueled her determination to make a difference. She attended graduate school when women and ethnic minorities were vastly underrepresented in psychology among both faculty and students. Bernal, supported by her family and friends, achieved spectacular success, contributing significantly to the evolution of the psychology landscape. Her groundbreaking achievements and contributions inspire countless individuals, emphasizing the importance of diversity and equality in the field.

Historical Impact

Bernal had an extraordinary impact on the field of psychology. She is well known for publishing her study of the preparation of psychologists to work with multicultural populations, where she traveled to different universities to speak with minority students and faculty about changes that were needed in the curriculum and then published the results of the national survey of the APA-accredited clinical psychology program (Women’s Intellectual Contributions , n.d.). Bernal’s goal was to bring awareness and increase the status of ethnic minority recruitment, retention, and training. She wanted to ensure that students of color had the opportunity to receive graduate training. The Latino population within the United States is growing exponentially. It has reached 18.5% of the country’s population, yet there are only about 5,000 psychologists in the U.S. who are Latino, representing about 5% of all psychologists (Perez, 2022). Bernal demonstrated outstanding initiative and dedication to promoting the presence of ethnic minority psychologists in the profession (Vasquez M. , 2002).

Bernal challenged stereotypes and prejudices related to Mexican Americans. She demonstrated that no cultural background could cause a barrier significant enough to hold back someone from success. She raised awareness and promoted diversity, equality, and inclusivity not only in the field of psychology but also in gender. She paved the way for better practices and perspectives. She made a significant contribution to the field of psychology and was acknowledged with numerous awards and honors. Bernal’s commitment led to the establishment of the Martha Bernal Scholarship Fund at Arizona State University. The scholarship fund serves as a testament to her hard work and dedication in supporting, empowering, and honoring her future generations of ethnic minority psychologists. Bernal’s achievements influenced psychology because she challenged the status and ideas of traditional norms in her time. She inspired me not only within the field of psychology but in society. Bernal’s legacy lives on through her students, colleagues, and professionals that she has inspired and the changes she has generated.

References

American Pscyhological Association. (2012). Featured Psychologist: Martha E. Bernal, PhD. Retrieved from American Pschological Association: https://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/ethnicity-health/psychologists/bernal

American Psychologist Association. (2001). Award for Distinguished Senior Career Contributions to the Public Interest: Martha Bernal. American Psychologist, 56(11), 922-924. Retrieved from https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.und.edu/10.1037/0003-066X.56.11.922b

George, M. (2012). Profile of Martha Bernal. Psychology’s Feminist Voices Digital Archive. Retrieved from https://feministvoices.com/profiles/martha-bernal

Perez, A. (2022, March 3). Dr. Maratha Bernal, The First Latina Psychologist in the United States. Retrieved from Latina Republic: https://latinarepublic.com/2022/03/03/dr-martha-bernal-the-first-latina-psychologist-in-the-united-states/

Vasquez, M. (2002). Complexities of the Latina experience: A tribute to Martha Bernal. American Psychologist, 57(11), 880-888. Retrieved from https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.und.edu/10.1037/0003-066X.57.11.880

Vasquez, M. J. (2022). Biography of Martha Bernal. Retrieved from Society for the Pscyhology of Women: https://www.apadivisions.org/division-35/about/heritage/martha-bernal-biography

Weis, J. (2021, September 30). Dr. Martha Bernal: The First Latina with a PhD in Psychology. Retrieved from Salud America: https://salud-america.org/dr-martha-bernal-the-first-latina-with-a-phd-in-psychology/

Women’s Intellectual Contributions . (n.d.). Retrieved from Webster University: http://faculty.webster.edu/woolflm/bernal.html