Women, Contributions Live On In Names
What's in a name? Often the answer is our history.
I did not live in Lee County very long before I knew about two women who helped shape the Southwest Florida community — Barbara B. Mann, patron of the arts, and Dr. Ruth Cooper, who helped shape our system of mental health treatment through the 1970s and '80s as director of Lee Mental Health.
Women who are not in our history books often live on in our communities through the institutions — or streets — that are named for them. I once lived on Olive Barber Road, and as a result, I discovered that she had been a local historian of major importance. Veronica Shoemaker's place in history is as solid as the street signs that mark her avenue.
I did not live in Lee County very long before I knew about two women who helped shape the Southwest Florida community — Barbara B. Mann, patron of the arts, and Dr. Ruth Cooper, who helped shape our system of mental health treatment through the 1970s and '80s as director of Lee Mental Health.
Women who are not in our history books often live on in our communities through the institutions — or streets — that are named for them. I once lived on Olive Barber Road, and as a result, I discovered that she had been a local historian of major importance. Veronica Shoemaker's place in history is as solid as the street signs that mark her avenue.
By the time I came to work for Ruth Cooper Center I was well aware that Ruth Cooper was part of a long tradition of women responsible for mental health treatment in our nation.
As a junior in high school, I wrote a major term paper on Dorthea Dix, who was almost single-handedly responsible for getting the mentally ill out of jails and poor houses and into "asylums for the insane," which were, in their time, the most humane treatment available for the mentally ill. What I learned about Dix has sustained and inspired me throughout my career.
As a junior in high school, I wrote a major term paper on Dorthea Dix, who was almost single-handedly responsible for getting the mentally ill out of jails and poor houses and into "asylums for the insane," which were, in their time, the most humane treatment available for the mentally ill. What I learned about Dix has sustained and inspired me throughout my career.
I understand that Lee Mental Health offers clarity in a community that has an ever shifting and growing population. And the Ortiz campus will continue to be Ruth Cooper Center to many in the community. The name change is happening gradually, but in the end, another woman bites the dust in the public eye. Perhaps some future high school student will be inspired by the discovery of the historical significance of Dr. Ruth Cooper.
— Babs Christy is the coordinator of the Lehigh United Way House at 1303-103 Homestead Road. She can be reached at 369-0177.