Hello all! This month In the Now is covering the work and history of Mary E. Black, an occupational therapist who has made an impact on occupational therapy through her talent in crafts and weaving.
Who is Mary E. Black?
Mary Black was born on September 18, 1895. Interestingly enough, Mary Black did not start off her career as an occupational therapist, she started off as a weaver. From her start at the young age of eight, Mary’s talent in weaving would make a huge impact on her career as an occupational therapist.
Impact on Occupational Therapy
At age 23, Mary became an occupational aide at McGill University in Montreal. She worked specifically in a program for disabled soldiers. After her time there, Mary worked in the Nova Scotia Tuberculosis Sanatorium and then at the Nova Scotia Hospital in Dartmouth. There she taught crafts to veterans who returned from World War I. She would then go on to organize an occupational therapy program not just for soldiers but for civilians as well.
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