Award Recipients: Dr. Dorothy J. Gish Women in Leadership Award

After lunch, I spent the afternoon attending several educational sessions, with two focused particularly on disability experiences. These sessions were titled “Enhancing Library Services for Deaf Individuals: Best Practices and Resources” and “Autism-Ready Libraries: Designing Inclusive Early Literacy Programs.” Although they were both geared towards librarians, many of the strategies discussed were easily adaptable for the classroom. The session about inclusion for deaf individuals was very impactful because it was presented by two deaf librarians who communicated entirely in ASL with the help of English interpreters. One of the most interesting comments made by one of the presenters was the distinction between being deaf/hard of hearing and embracing Deaf identity, which is seen not as a disability but rather a culture and language of its own.

Currently, under the advisement of Dr. Burchard and Dr. Mfum-Mensah, I am researching disparities in autism spectrum disorder identification and early intervention for children of color, so the second session was particularly relevant to my University Honors Project. In this session, the presenter shared the results of research that was done at the University of Washington about inclusive early literacy programs in local libraries. Some of the takeaways from their pilot program were the importance of presuming competence for all children, making families feel welcome regardless of their child’s needs, and addressing participation barriers through inclusive expectations and sensory accessibility. In addition, an important note that the presenter highlighted is the importance of avoiding specialized programs, as many families are unaware of their child’s ASD diagnosis, a statement which aligns directly with much of my research into the age of identification for certain children.

Overall, I am incredibly grateful to have attended the ALA Conference and am so thankful to the Dr. Dorothy J. Gish Women in Leadership Award for helping to make this experience possible.

Each day of the conference, I had the opportunity to attend several sessions where scholars and practitioners presented their research and practice in the format of either a lecture or poster presentation. My particular interest is in gerontology, so Dr. Hoppmann’s session on “Social Interdependence and Solitude: Everyday Dynamics in Older Couples” was certainly a favorite. Upon returning to PA, I was able to put research gleaned from this presentation directly into practice at my current internship as I work with local senior citizens in a retirement community. Additionally, the closing plenary by Dr. Hays-Grudo was impactful as she talked about her recent research on protective factors for children and adults build resilience and thrive despite adversity. This research I was able to make practical not only in my professional life, but also in my personal life.

Thank you to the Gish Award Committee for supporting me in my attendance at the NCFR Conference during my final year at Messiah. This conference left me feeling refreshed, inspired, and challenged as I strive for excellence and positive impact in the fields of family science and gerontology.

Although the facilitator for the focus group never showed up, I still had such an impactful experience getting to know the other individuals in the group. Each of us had a slightly different story to share about why we feel passionate about helping families and individuals with disabilities. It was really interesting to hear each person’s story about what led them to the work that they are doing. As I walked away from the focus group, I felt incredibly inspired and excited about all the ways that I could help make a difference in the lives of families with disabilities in the future. I feel as though my experience with the focus group solidified my passion for working with families with disabilities someday. 

Another session that I found interesting was the Relationship Maintenance paper session. During this session, there were 4 presenters and they each gave a brief presentation about their research papers. The first paper touched on some of the specific strategies that couples use to maintain their relationships. Another presentation touched on the impact of politics and religion in relationships and another explored the reasons why relationships ended. However, the presentation that I found the most interesting explored the ways that professional athletes and their spouses maintained their relationship while the athletes also focused heavily on their careers. As someone who is passionate about couple and marital relationships, I found this research interesting and encouraging. I feel that I was able to take away some helpful information regarding relationship maintenance strategies that I could possibly use in a future career as well as my own life.

Last but not least, I really enjoyed attending two of the poster sessions. During these sessions, posters were scattered around the room and you were able to walk around and talk with the researchers about their poster. A poster that I found particularly interesting was one that discussed coping strategies for parents of children with autism. As I read through the poster, I began to wonder how this research would apply to single parents and I asked the researcher what her thoughts were. She explained that there were a few single mothers in the study who felt very supported in their parenthood journey. She also discussed the lack of fathers who completed the study and explained how she would love to hear more fathers perspectives on raising a child with autism. After this conversation, I once again felt inspired as I considered possible research topics for my senior project.

Overall, my experience at the National Council on Family Relations Conference was extremely impactful. I was able to take away a lot of knowledge from the sessions that I attended and was also able to walk away feeling inspired. I am excited to attend future conferences and to see how each conference will continue to broaden my knowledge about the field of family science.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the conference was presenting a poster alongside Dr. Hamon during the Family Science Pedagogy poster session. Our poster, titled “A Visual Depiction of the Historical Development of the Field of Family Science: A Strong Foundation for a Sustainable Future,” highlighted the importance of incorporating the history of Family Science into educational programs. The goal was to underscore how an understanding of the discipline's evolution can provide students with a more profound appreciation of its foundational principles and inspire innovative thinking in their future work.

The response to our presentation was overwhelmingly positive. We engaged with numerous attendees who expressed genuine interest in our project, many of whom emphasized the importance of publishing our research to benefit the broader Family Science community. These interactions underscored the value of our work and demonstrated the collaborative spirit that defines the NCFR community. The experience also enhanced my confidence in public speaking and presenting research, skills that are essential as I prepare for my future career.

Beyond the presentation, I took full advantage of the networking opportunities available. I connected with professionals, researchers, and fellow students who shared a commitment to advancing Family Science as a discipline. These conversations were not only inspiring but also practical, as they provided insights into career paths, emerging trends, and innovative teaching practices. I was particularly inspired by discussions surrounding feminist parenting and fostering resilience in families, both of which align with my passion for promoting equity and empowerment through education.

Accomplishments

1. Successfully presented a poster with Dr. Hamon, which generated meaningful engagement and feedback.
2. Participated in a diverse range of seminars and focus groups, gaining insights into current challenges and opportunities in Family Science.
3. Expanded my professional network, building relationships with individuals passionate about improving family well-being.
4. Received recommendations to publish our poster research with NCFR, which I view as a significant milestone in my academic journey.

The NCFR conference was more than just an academic event—it was a moment of personal and professional growth that affirmed my dedication to Family Science. The knowledge I gained and the connections I formed will undoubtedly influence my future endeavors as I strive to make meaningful contributions to the lives of families and communities.