Humanities Friend Spotlight:

CSTW Benefactor Alexander is a Woman of Stature

Ohio State alumna and benefactor Pauline Alexander is a true “superwoman“ in every sense of the word and reached this status long before the term became popular in the 70s – when the ideal woman was thought to be one who should excel at everything: keeping house, raising children, and building a career.

Alexander can add the terms humanitarian and philanthropist to her long list of superwoman attributes. She credits her parents and the liberal undergraduate education she received at Antioch College with furthering her already inherent humanitarian inclination. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Antioch in 1951 and went on to earn a master’s degree in psychology from Ohio State.

For nearly three decades, she worked as a school psychologist beginning with her appointment as the first psychologist at the Ohio State School of the Blind and Ohio School of the Deaf. She later worked with the Franklin County Board of Education, the Metropolitan Cooperative Educational Council, and Delaware City Schools.

During this time she served as the president of both the Ohio School Psychologists Association and the School Psychologists of Central Ohio, and founded the National Association of School Psychologists. She produced a series of films designed to give elementary teachers insight into learning and behavior disorders as well as demonstrated specific teaching techniques. She also kept a private practice, lectured in Human Services at OSU from 1987-1992, and raised four children (hence the superwoman title).

In her expansive career, she worked with over 5,000 children and touched endless lives. Now retired, Alexander continues to help others. “I always thought you should payback what you’ve been given – and I’ve been given a lot.” She is a supporter of the college's Center for the Study of Teaching and Writing (CSTW), in particular its Outreach Program which works with schools, community groups, and others to enhance writing instruction and develop literacy programs.

Alexander’s gift provided book bags and writing instruments for children who took part in a CSTW program at the Columbus Africentric School where OSU graduate and undergraduate students give individualized instruction and assistance to third, fourth, and fifth grade students. “The ability to write well is extremely important,” says Alexander, “and I find real joy from making an impact on people’s lives.”