The Riveting Rosies

Dr. Mary Grace Arthur

Mary Grace Arthur: Pioneering Psychologist and Advocate for Equality in Education

In the early 20th century, when women were fighting for their rights and equality, Dr. Mary Grace Arthur emerged as a remarkable figure in the field of psychology. Her dedication to helping marginalized children, her groundbreaking work in intelligence testing, and her advocacy for equal educational opportunities made her a true trailblazer.

Early Life and Education:

Born in 1883 in Minnesota, Grace Arthur’s passion for understanding and supporting children began early in her life. She graduated from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1917, and while pursuing her master’s degree, she started working as a psychologist in Chisholm Minnesota Public Schools. Her experience in this role fueled her desire to help children facing various challenges, including developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, and those from indigenous backgrounds.

Contributions to Intelligence Testing:

During this period, the widely used Stanford-Binet intelligence scale proved inadequate in accurately assessing children’s intelligence, particularly for those with diverse backgrounds. Recognizing the limitations of the test, Dr. Grace Arthur took it upon herself to revise and update the scale into what is now known as the Arthur Point Scale of Performance Tests, completed in 1924.

This groundbreaking test revolutionized the field by enabling researchers to more accurately assess the IQ of children from different backgrounds. It ensured fair evaluation for children who were deaf, non-English speakers, from various cultural backgrounds, and those with speech challenges. Through her innovative work, Arthur demonstrated that children who were previously marginalized, including Native American children, were just as intelligent and capable as their peers.

Advocacy for Native American Children:

Grace Arthur’s dedication to the well-being and educational equality of Native American children was particularly remarkable. After centuries of discrimination and racism, Native American children faced numerous challenges, including biased perceptions regarding their intelligence. Arthur’s research and test revisions provided undeniable evidence that these children were no less intelligent or capable than their white counterparts.

Her findings challenged the prevailing stereotypes and influenced the government’s attitudes towards Native American children and their education. Dr. Arthur’s tireless advocacy helped pave the way for fairer treatment and educational opportunities for Native American children.

Professional Achievements and Legacy:

In 1924, Dr. Arthur was appointed as the first psychologist for the Amherst H Wilder Child Guidance Clinic. Here, she primarily worked with children who had developmental disabilities, further demonstrating her commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children. In 1942, she expanded her work by collaborating with the Saint Paul public schools and the United States Office of Indian Affairs as a consulting psychologist.

Even beyond her institutional roles, Dr. Arthur continued to make a difference. She ran a successful private practice and served as the supervisor of teaching at the Owatonna State School. Her dedication to children’s welfare and equal access to education continued until her passing in 1967.

Dr. Mary Grace Arthur’s unwavering commitment to supporting children, particularly those who faced various challenges and discrimination, has left an indelible mark on the field of psychology and education. Her pioneering work in intelligence testing and her advocacy for Native American children’s rights have reshaped perceptions and policies, promoting equality and fairness in education.

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Kitty O’Neil

The Fearless Deaf Stuntwoman who Defied Limits

Kitty O’Neil, born on March 24, 1946, was an extraordinary woman who shattered barriers and defied expectations throughout her life. As a swimmer, diver, race car and motorcycle driver, and renowned stuntwoman, Kitty fearlessly pursued high-adrenaline activities despite being completely deaf.

Early Life and Challenges:

Born to parents John and Patsy, Kitty O’Neil faced a challenging start to life. At five months old, she fell ill with a range of illnesses, including measles, mumps, and possibly chickenpox or smallpox. These illnesses resulted in high fevers that ultimately caused her profound hearing loss, which became apparent by the age of two.

Kitty’s mother, who would become a speech pathologist, was determined to provide her daughter with a means of communication beyond American Sign Language (ASL). In an era when ASL was not as widely recognized or accommodated, Kitty’s mother taught her to lip-read and use vocal cord vibrations to speak.

Achievements in Sports:

Despite her deafness, Kitty excelled in various sports and activities. She displayed talent in swimming and diving, leading her and her mother to move to Anaheim, California in 1962, where she trained with renowned coach Sammy Lee, who also coached Greg Louganis.

Although a broken wrist and later a case of spinal meningitis prevented Kitty from competing in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, she participated in the 1965 Summer Deaflympics, swimming the 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle. However, Kitty realized that swimming and diving did not provide the level of excitement she craved.

Venturing into the World of Stunts:

Driven by her need for speed and adrenaline, Kitty transitioned to more exhilarating activities such as skydiving, hang gliding, scuba diving, and water skiing. Her passion for high-speed racing led her to set the women’s water ski speed record at an astounding 104.85 mph in 1970.

Not content with conquering the water, Kitty ventured into land racing, competing in events like the Baja 500 and the Mint 400. Additionally, she met stuntman Ronald “Duffy” Hambleton during a motorcycle race and began a relationship with him. Through Duffy’s connections, Kitty entered the entertainment industry as a stuntwoman, making appearances in popular TV shows and movies.

Breaking Records and Challenging Expectations:

Kitty O’Neil’s career as a stuntwoman was defined by her extraordinary achievements and willingness to push the limits. She broke the women’s high-fall record by leaping from a 12-story Hilton hotel, a height of 127 feet, while doubling for Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman. Not content with that feat, she later surpassed her own record with a 180-foot fall from a helicopter.

In 1976, Kitty set out to establish a new women’s land-speed record. Driving the hydrogen peroxide-powered rocket car called the SMI Motivator, she achieved an average speed of 512.710 mph, with a top speed of 621 mph. Despite facing restrictions due to contractual obligations and gender biases, Kitty’s unwavering determination made her an extraordinary force in the world of racing.

Legacy and Inspiration

Kitty O’Neil’s remarkable accomplishments paved the way for other deaf individuals and women in the fields of sports and stunts. Her audacious spirit, resilience, and refusal to accept limitations continue to inspire people today. Kitty proved that being deaf should never be a barrier to achieving greatness.

Following her retirement from stunt work in 1982, Kitty settled in Elk River, Minnesota, and later Eureka, South Dakota, with her long-time partner Raymond Waid. By the time she retired, Kitty had set an astonishing 22 speed records on land and water.

On November 2, 2018, Kitty O’Neil passed away at the age of 72 due to pneumonia. Her indomitable spirit and groundbreaking achievements will always be remembered and celebrated. In recognition of her extraordinary life, she was honored during the In Memoriam segment at the 2019 Oscar Awards.

In 2023, on what would have been her 77th birthday, Kitty was commemorated with a Google Doodle, a testament to her enduring legacy.

As Kitty once said, “Deaf people can do anything. Never give up.” Her words resonate, reminding us to break barriers, challenge expectations, and strive for our dreams, regardless of the obstacles we face. Kitty O’Neil will forever be remembered as a true trailblazer, a fearless woman who proved that the human spirit knows no bounds.

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