Dr. Norma Bowen: A Trailblazer in Education

The 1960s and early 1970s were an important time for change in Canada. In 1970, The Royal Commission on the Status of Women called for greater equality, and, in 1971, multiculturalism became official government policy in recognition of Canada’s racial and cultural diversity. However, this period was not easy for women or for people of colour. Norma Bowen persevered through the challenges of the time. Born in Trinidad to a family of fourteen children, Dr. Norma Bowen advocated for women's and minority rights, often through the lens of her own experience as a Black woman.  

A psychology professor and one of the founders of the University of Guelph's psychology program, Bowen worked for the University from 1966 to 1986. Her early schooling took place in her home country. She moved to Canada to undertake post-secondary education. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Toronto and her Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo, specializing in psychology. At the University of Guelph, Bowen became the college liasion for the Psychology Society and Faculty of Social Sciences. She was elected to the University Senate and became the Chair of the Board of Undergraduate Studies. From 1972 to 1973, she served as the president of the University Faculty Association. Outside of the university, she was Chair for the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (1974-1975) and a member of the Ontario Council for University Affairs. She accomplished all this while raising two children.  

As explained in a Social Science Alumni News article, Bowen’s focus in the psychology field began with researching “educational issues in culturally deprived children.” She studied developmental disabilities in children. Bowen later transitioned into studying the racial and ethnic implications of police hiring. As a woman of colour, Bowen passionately advocated for the rights of women and minority communities. In her paper titled, "Universities are not the most satisfying places for women to work in", she discussed the wage gap between male and female professors. Bowen explained that for women “equal pay will not solve all the problems" because women are expected to work in a “masculine oriented world.”

A pivotal moment in Bowen’s career came in 1977 when she travelled to Guyana as a consultant to the Ministry of Education, Social Development and Culture Branch. In this role, she prepared reports and provided advice on how to set national educational goals.  Being given this opportunity was considered an honour. In the late 1970s, it was especially uncommon for women to receive such positions.  

Bowen’s last research focused on sexual harassment. Unfortunately, she passed away from an illness in 1986 and was unable to complete her book on the sbuject. Bowen’s legacy lives on through the University of Guelph Memorial Fund in her name.  A pioneer in her field, Bowen's work informs gender and race-based issues that are still prevalent today.  

Jeremy Baird giving Dr. Norma Bowen a hug after she read him a story at a Parent-Child interface. F45-0-1-0-0-1377, Appreciative audience, 1981. Bowen is sitting in a chair and has a smile on her face.