As she says, with the support of colleagues, “you never know where leadership will take you.” She is now in her ninth year of board service. Kelly, PhD, a clinical psychologist, is the first black woman to serve as a board officer, as recording secretary since 2013. In this inaugural position, she helped to expand the Council of Representatives’ role as a policymaking body and an active voice for our association. Jean Lau Chin, EdD, a professor at Adelphi University, served on the board from 2016 to 2017 as chair of the Council Leadership Team. “I am especially proud because it means that others recognized my effort to represent all of psychology, not just my area of specialization,” she says. Johnson, PhD, a practitioner and a board member from 2012 to 2014, was known to serve the entire field. She supported three major initiatives: immigration, preventing discrimination and promoting diversity, and addressing educational disparities. Vasquez, PhD, another scientist-practitioner, served on the board from 2007 to 2009 and as APA’s 2011 president. “I think it demonstrated that we could make it to function at that level,” she says. She successfully raised awareness of people of color in APA governance. Chang, PhD, a scientist-practitioner, served on the board from 1994 to 1997. That’s why I encourage women psychologists of color to run for an APA office, build on the successes of those who have already served and truly represent our diverse membership. In the association’s 126-year history, only a handful of women of color have been elected to serve on APA’s Board of Directors.

Unfortunately, that trend is just starting to be seen at APA. As the nation goes to the polls this month, I am inspired by the unprecedented number of women of color running for office.

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