Thelma Alper

Thelma Gorfinkle Alper (July 24, 1908 – July 30, 1988) was an American clinical psychologist, known for creating a study measure for women's achievement motivation. She was also the first Jewish woman to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard, having careers at multiple institutions as she conducted studies primarily on memory of tasks, with an interest in its relation to women.

Personal life Alper grew up in Chelsea, Massachusetts, in a Jewish family that Alper described as an "achievement oriented, but not at all a college-oriented, Jewish family". She had a sister that was ten years older, named Bertha, who has been described as the most influential role model in Alper's life, yet someone who she could never dream to surpass or even match in her own achievements.

Thelma Alper died on July 30, 1988