Women Leaders in Mental Health & Child Advocacy

4 Women Who Redefined Care & Support

Learn more about the four women who inspire the next generation of practitioners, educators, and advocates working toward a more just, inclusive, and trauma-informed world.

Champions of Mental Health, Trauma Healing & Child Well‑Being

Women’s History Month offers an important opportunity to reflect on those who have transformed the way we understand mental health, trauma, child development, and neurodiversity. Among the countless women who have shaped these fields, four stand out for their courage, innovation, and lasting impact: Dr. Judith Herman, Jane Addams, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, and Dr. Ellen Littman.

Dr. Judith Herman

Dr. Judith Herman is one of the most influential researchers in the study of trauma and PTSD, especially interpersonal trauma. She is the author of Trauma and Recovery, a book that reshaped how clinicians understand survivors of abuse and the complexity of trauma. Dr. Herman’s work kick-started the practice of trauma‑informed care across the mental health and social service industries.

“Recovery can only take place within the context of relationships; it cannot occur in isolation.” – Dr. Judith Herman, Trauma and Recovery

Jane Addams

Jane Addams is recognized as the founder of the social work profession in the U.S. and the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She established the nonprofit “Hull House” in Chicago, providing services such as childcare, education, and healthcare for immigrant families. Jane developed the concepts of community social services, casework, and advocacy that social workers use today.

“Action indeed is the sole medium of expression for ethics.” – Jane Addams

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris pioneered the research of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their lifelong mental/physical health impacts. She is the author of The Deepest Well, a novel explaining the integration of trauma science into everyday life. Dr. Harris founded the Center for Youth Wellness. Her work transformed how pediatricians, social workers, and foster care systems screen and intervene with trauma-exposed children.

“Children are compelled to give meaning to what is happening to them… the intersection of trauma and the developmentally appropriate egocentrism of childhood often leads a little kid to think, I made it happen.” – Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, The Deepest Well

Dr. Ellen Littman

Dr. Ellen Littman is one of the earliest voices advocating for how ADHD presents differently in girls and women. She is a frequently cited expert whose work informs special education teams supporting inattentive‑type ADHD. Dr. Littman and other leading experts recently discussed gender bias, diagnostic gaps, and treatment challenges for women with ADHD.

“Proper screening is essential—especially for women who have been overlooked for far too long.” – Dr. Ellen Littman

Honoring the Women Who Transformed Trauma, Healing, and Education

Together, these four women have not only expanded our understanding of human resilience—they built systems of care that honor the dignity and potential of every individual. Their legacies continue to inspire the next generation of practitioners, educators, and advocates working toward a more just, inclusive, and trauma-informed world.