# Saundra M. Nettles

Saundra Rice Murray Nettles is an American feminist psychologist who has been affiliated with the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign since 2012. Nettles received her education from Howard University, earning her Bachelor's degree in 1967 and her PhD in 1976. Nettles has made many significant contributions to the field of psychology, as she was a member of the Society for the Psychology of Women within the American Psychological Association, chairwoman of the Task Force on Black Women's Priorities, and has conducted studies on teenagers and children within the educational field. Nettles's work has explored the intersections of race and gender with the education of children and teens. In addition to this, she has great concern with environmental factors within her studies, including how toxins in the environment may affect student performance.

## Influence on Psychology

Nettles has conducted a series of studies pursuing teenagers and children in an educational field, race and gender with education along with environmental factors. The contributions Nettles has made in her studies pursuing the aspect on race and gender have made changes in talking these concerns that are commonly faced today. As an example, Nettles contributions to creating a bibliography for black women and creating a directory of Black psychologists which has helped bring forward the issues and concerns that Black women not only faced but also were neglected. This work had been achieved by the committee known as Division 35, Psychology of Women, along with other feminist. This major contribution has provided networking opportunities for black women and further allows research to solve issues still faced.
As Saundra M. Nettles has continued to make valuable contributions, she has been more involved with women's studies as for racial studies. These studies have allowed her and others to understand and become more involved with others who face issues such as resilience in teenagers and children. She has participated in organizations that conduct research on multidisciplinary strategies that have the potential to help, develop and improve these issues. Saundra Nettles' accomplishments have not gone unheard, as it is seen the awards she has received in pursue of her studies and contributions to woman psychology. She has worked hard along with many other women psychologist who have not been heard.

## Mentioned Studies

Many studies related to race, education, and the environment have cited Nettles's work. According to Rhodes et al., "Evaluations of volunteer mentoring programs provide evidence of positive influences on adolescent development outcomes including academic achievement (McPartland & Nettles)." It is seen here that Rhodes et al. agree with Nettles about her investigation on adolescents and their development, where Nettles has provided a suggestion to help this issue by the use of programs. In addition to this environmental influence, Noguera cites from Nettles that "In several communities throughout the United States, black parents are turning to churches and community organizations as one possible source of support (McPartland & Nettles)." Both Noguera and Nettles address the same issue and facts about racial communities seeking out help for support for their children. Nettles has allowed some insight into the main problem with the relations between these factors that impact individuals and plans to investigate it alongside other fellow psychologists.

## Resources

* ↑ "Saundra Murray Nettles - Psychology's Feminist Voices". www.feministvoices.com. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
George M. (2012). Profile of Saundra Nettles. In A. Rutherford (Ed.), Psychology's Feminist Voices Multimedia Internet Archive. Retrieved from http://www.feministvoices.com/saundra-murray-nettles/
Grossman, B. J., Resch, L. N, & Rhodes, E. J., (2000) Child Development, Agents of Change: Pathways through Which Mentoring Relationships Influence Adolescents' Academic Adjustment. 71(6), (1662-1971). Retrieved from http://rhodeslab.org/files/agents.pdf
Noguera, A. P., (2003). Urban Education. The Trouble With Black Boys: The Role and Influence of Environmental and Cultural Factors on the Academic Performance of African American Males., (431-455). Retrieved from http://www.schoolreforminitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Noguera-2003.pdf