In this introduction to the reflective essays of the trailblazing women in the field of psychology featured in Reflections from Pioneering Women in Psychology, Newton and Bookwala provide historical context, both societal and specific to psychology. Many of the women in this volume began their careers when women were not expected to succeed academically and were often less than welcome in psychology departments. The women profiled in this book not only succeeded but flourished - transforming the field of psychology and enabling it to broaden and further develop as they went - and join the ranks of previous pioneering women in the discipline. In many ways, the history of women in psychology parallels the progress that Women’s Rights Movements gained during the last century. Newton and Bookwala emphasize that while this volume adds to previous histories of women in psychology, it is also unique, given that the essays are written by the contributors themselves in their own voices. This chapter situates and introduces these narratives, which outline the challenges and successes the women faced in their remarkable careers.

In the concluding chapter, Bookwala and Newton reflect on the women featured in this volume as a collective, highlighting commonalities in their experiences, strengths, and influence as psychologists. These pioneers, who stand on the shoulders of other women who entered psychology decades earlier, have had distinguished careers and have transformed their fields, institutions, and academia through their contributions and accomplishments. Using theoretical frameworks and key constructs within life span development, Bookwala and Newton weave together a tapestry to explain these remarkable women’s journeys as trailblazers and paradigm changers in a climate and environment in academia that was unwelcome and even hostile to women. Bookwala and Newton also use their concluding chapter to situate the volume in the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a profound and disproportionate impact on the professional and personal lives of women scholars: an impact that could be prolonged, and that risks undermining the very strides in gender equity that the contributors in this volume fought so hard for and won.