Wilma T. Donahue

Wilma Thompson Donahue (1900 – August 17, 1993) was an American gerontologist, educator, and author focusing on social gerontology and the psychological aspects of aging. Donahue was among the first clinical psychologists in the United States.

Biography Donahue was born in Mitchellville, Iowa, in 1900, growing up on a farm. She began taking college preparatory classes while in high school and normal teacher training. She later studied at the University of Michigan. She began her work as a clinical psychologist in 1935, working in the Student Health Service. Donahue received her doctorate in 1937 and began teaching the following year. Donahue retired from the university in 1970, moving to Washington, D.C. She founded the International Center for Social Gerontology there and expanded it to Michigan upon moving back in 1981.

Awards and legacy In 1980, Donahue and Tibbitts were the first recipients of the Gerontological Society of America's Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education Award, now known as the Clark Tibbitts Award. It is awarded to people who have "made a national impact on gerontology and/or geriatrics education, have had significant involvement in gerontology and/or geriatrics education, and have advanced the goals and mission of the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education".

She was among the first to be inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 1983, receiving the Life Achievement Award.

Other awards include:

Honorary degree, St. Thomas Institute for Advanced Studies (1965) Achievement Award, Gerontological Society of America (1969) Honorary degree, Western Michigan University (1970) Ollie Randall Award, National Council on Aging (1982) Leadership award, Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (1988)

Writings Donahue wrote and edited a number of works on gerontology; her 1955 Education for Later Maturity has been called "the first major work to identify the educational needs of the aging person" and "one of the earliest comprehensive surveys of older learners." Some works include: