Willard and Spackman’s Enduring Legacy for Future Occupational Therapy Pathways

Abstract

Helen Willard (1894-1980) and Clare Spackman (1909-1992) paved the way for modern and future occupational therapy. This article validates the need for historical research in occupational therapy and presents a historical study on how the personal and professional collaboration of Willard and Spackman influenced occupational therapy. Data were gathered from archival documents, private papers, and 10 oral histories with colleagues, students, family, and friends. We used text analysis with triangulation to develop themes to reconstruct a proximity of the historical story. Two major themes that describe Willard's and Spackman's influence on occupational therapy are (1) Enduring Legacies and (2) Sacred Solitude and Chosen Gatherings. Subthemes within Enduring Legacies include Guiding Practice, Leaders in Service, and Educational Leadership. These women strongly influenced practitioners worldwide while maintaining the sacredness of their private lives. Their example can serve as a model for current and future occupational therapy practitioners and leaders.

A case study of the development of occupational therapy at St. Patrick’s Hospital Dublin, 1935-1969

“…There is an ongoing need for occupational therapy to “honour and own its historical professional legacy” (Mahoney et al , 2017, p. 6). Researching the history of occupational therapy has numerous potential benefits for the profession.…”

“…Researching the history of occupational therapy has numerous potential benefits for the profession. Historical research can demonstrate how key ideas have developed over time (Hocking, 2008), augment understandings of contemporary practice (Pettigrew et al , 2017a), celebrate the contributions of key individuals (Mahoney et al , 2017) and inform future professional directions (Wilcock, 2002). While a number of social ideas contributed to the emergence of occupational therapy (as described in the literature review), institutions such as hospitals, sanatoria and asylums were significant physical environments within which the profession developed (Friedland, 2011).…”

Opinion piece: history matters – evidence and proposals for action

“…Each story is fascinating. Imagine the tenacity and resilience required by a single-handed therapist working in one country for decades or the foresight of academic leaders with a global influence (Mahoney et al, 2017). It is vital to value this diversity, to conserve documents, artefacts and memories; and make our histories accessible so that learning can inform developments elsewhere.…”

A Preliminary Historical Report on Embracing Online Education in Occupational Therapy

“…Learning about the educational practices of the profession with a historical perspective also allows for a better comprehension of what, how, and why changes occur or do not occur. Historical inquiry studies enable occupational therapy practitioners to understand how the profession has been shaped over time and how professional paradigms shift and evolve (Mahoney, Peters, & Martin, 2017). With the understanding of earlier works and how the profession evolved in response to societal influence and trends, historical studies allow occupational therapy practitioners to have a stronger learning foundation (Mahoney et al, 2017).…”

“…Historical inquiry studies enable occupational therapy practitioners to understand how the profession has been shaped over time and how professional paradigms shift and evolve (Mahoney, Peters, & Martin, 2017). With the understanding of earlier works and how the profession evolved in response to societal influence and trends, historical studies allow occupational therapy practitioners to have a stronger learning foundation (Mahoney et al, 2017). For example, the Medicare Cap implemented in the mid-1990s reduced the enrollment of students in occupational therapy programs (Trujillo, 2007).…”