Clark, Ruth Swan

Ruth Swan Clark

Ruth Swan Clark was a member of the class of 1909 at Smith College. In 1913, she returned to Smith as an instructor in the Philosophy Department. In 1917 she was promoted to Assistant Professor. In 1918, she became part of the staff of the School for Social Work. She earned her PhD. in psychology from Columbia University in 1919. While in New York City, she worked as the psychologist for the Vocational Service for Juniors, a program that encouraged career counseling in public schools. She returned to Smith in 1922 when she accepted a position of Associate Professor in the Psychology Department. In 1929, she agreed to edit and publish the theories of her colleague in the Philosophy Department, Professor Harry Gardiner. She worked until 1934, compiling and recording his thoughts on human nature and other psychological phenomena. In 1943, Clark took on a job at the Howard Relief Society, a privately endowed charity, as their Executive Secretary. There she worked raising money on behalf of school children who were under-privileged. Later, in 1949, she became the Chairman of the Social Service Committee in the American Association for University Women. She also served on the Housing Committee of the League of Women Voters. Also in 1949, Clark was asked to write a complete history of the Psychology Department at Smith College. It was teaching in this department when she met her husband, J.T. Metcalf, also a Psychology professor. They had two daughters and one son together.

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