The Brilliant Mind of Leta Hollingworth - the Nature of the Gifted Child

Several years ago, I attended the National Conference for Gifted Children in Cincinnati. There I first heard the name, Leta Hollingworth, even though I had been working as an advisor to Pittsburgh's gifted program for some time.

I went to an evening session where several well known presenters described Leta's life, her work, her poetry and her fascinating personality. I felt terribly stupid. I had given talks to parents and colleagues about the gifted and had never once heard Leta's name. I had to learn more about this intriguing woman.

The following day I attended another session which ignited my determination to make sure that Leta Hollingworth was given credit, if only in Pittsburgh, as the foremother of the gifted movement. A rather strange thing happened.

This session dealt with problems gifted women face. The presenter pointed out that too few men in important positions know too little, and care too little, about gifted girls and their plight. To prove her point, towards the end of the session, the presenter asked the women present to stand. There were over one hundred! Then she called for the men to stand up. Two! Just two of us!

This experience made me determined to dig up more. I began reading some of Hollingworth's original books only to find her insights as poignant today as they were over sixty years ago. I uncovered another startling fact: our lives coexisted for a brief three month period toward the fall of 1939. I was just beginning to be; Leta was dying of cancer.

I am preparing a short treatise to publish on this site as a tribute to Leta Hollingworth's legacy. I commend to you the memory of this outstanding, courageous woman.

More to come: Leta Hollingworth - THE NATURE OF GIFTED CHILDREN - THE MYTH OF BOREDOM AND LAZINESS