Winifred E. Scott
Department Head, 1981-86
A scholar, leader and advocate, Winifred E. Scott guided the department through a pivotal period of institutional change while advancing social justice, research and leadership in occupational therapy.
I have always been interested in social justice issues, and OT is a social justice profession in its work with people with disabilities.
Early life and education
Early life and education
Winifred E. Scott, the oldest of four children, was raised with a strong expectation to pursue purpose and achievement. As an undergraduate at the University of Illinois Urbana campus, she lived in Lincoln Avenue Residence, which was segregated at the time.
Her commitment to social justice began early. As a student leader and social chair of the Student Occupational Therapy Association, she organized peers and participated in efforts to challenge racial discrimination, including picketing local businesses that refused to serve Black students.
Scott graduated from the occupational therapy program in June 1957 and began a clinical career focused on psychiatric practice, including positions at Hines Veterans Administration Hospital and the University of Illinois Research and Education Hospital.
She later earned a Master of Arts in sociology from Howard University in 1977 and a PhD in education from the University of Chicago in 1981. Her academic training reflected a growing interest in systems, leadership and equity. Earlier in her career, she also trained as a pilot, an experience that reflected her independence and determination.
Leadership at UIC during institutional change
Scott served as department head from 1981 to 1986, a period marked by significant transformation at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her tenure coincided with the 1982 merger of the Chicago Circle and Medical Center campuses, as the university sought to establish itself as a leading research institution.
She led the department through this transition by:
- Advancing a shift toward a research-focused mission
- Supporting faculty development in alignment with new university standards
- Navigating complex administrative changes across multiple leadership transitions
One of her most challenging responsibilities was implementing new expectations for faculty credentials, including the push for doctoral-level education among tenured faculty. While this effort created internal tension, it positioned the department for long-term success within a research-intensive university environment.
Throughout this period, Scott worked to unify faculty and staff around shared goals and a forward-looking vision.
Contributions to the profession
Scott’s contributions to occupational therapy reflect her commitment to leadership, equity and systemic change.
Her impact includes:
- Publishing influential research on leadership among women in occupational therapy
- Promoting diversity in student recruitment and professional representation
- Advocating for services that address the needs of underserved communities
- Encouraging a shift toward health maintenance and community-based practice models
She emphasized that occupational therapists must be both economically and politically informed, expanding the profession’s role within broader health and social systems.
Scholarship and legacy
Winifred E. Scott’s legacy is defined by her leadership during a period of significant institutional transition at the University of Illinois Chicago. By guiding the department through organizational change, she helped position it for its future as a research-intensive program.
Her scholarship made a lasting impact on the profession. Her research on leadership among women in occupational therapy remains a foundational contribution, offering important insight into advancement within female-dominated fields.
Scott also expanded the boundaries of occupational therapy by applying its principles to organizational and corporate systems, demonstrating the field’s relevance beyond traditional clinical settings.
Leadership and accomplishments
Research and Publications
- Scott, W.E. (1985). “Variables That Contribute to Leadership Among Female Occupational Therapists,” American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 39, 379–385
- Scott, W.E. (1985, 1992). “A Systems Approach to Management,” in The Occupational Therapy Manager (American Occupational Therapy Association)
Honors and Awards
- Cordelia Myers Writer’s Award, American Occupational Therapy Association (1986), recognizing the most outstanding research article published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy
