Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President and Rosh Yeshiva | Yeshiva University
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President and Rosh Yeshiva | Yeshiva University
Dr. Doris Kraemer was a pioneering figure in the fields of psychology and higher education, leaving a lasting impact on both areas. In June 1955, Dr. Kraemer became the first woman to receive a Ph.D. from the School of Education and Community Administration at Yeshiva University. Throughout her career, she was committed to mental health advocacy, teaching, and clinical practice.
Dr. Kraemer was born on August 22, 1916, in New York City. Raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, under the mentorship of her grandfather, Charles Greenberg, she grew up in an environment that valued education and tradition. Due to financial constraints during the Great Depression, her initial aspiration to become a medical doctor was redirected towards psychology. She graduated from Rutgers University in 1937 and later earned a master's degree in clinical psychology from Teachers College at Columbia University.
Navigating her academic journey in the 1950s, Dr. Kraemer balanced work, study, and family life. Her dissertation focused on perceptual aspects of the Rorschach test in children, illustrating her interest in personality and child psychology. After obtaining her doctorate, she joined Stern College for Women as an instructor and later became an associate professor at Montclair State College, where she remained until 1980.
In addition to her academic work, Dr. Kraemer was a respected clinical psychologist. She provided support through the Jewish Child Care Association and the Jewish Vocational Service of Essex County. Her involvement extended to the Essex County Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association, among others. Dr. Kraemer also contributed to community service organizations such as the Women’s Division of the United Jewish Appeal and was instrumental in founding the Ethical Culture Society of Essex County.
Dr. Kraemer balanced her professional responsibilities with family life in Millburn, New Jersey, where her home also served as her private practice. Her son, Stephen, recalls her ability to manage her varied roles efficiently. In a 1955 article in the Jewish News, she stated, “Raising three sons provided me with an ideal field laboratory for learning something about the realities of psychology.”
Outside of her professional commitments, Dr. Kraemer enjoyed collecting antiques and dancing. Together with her husband, she engaged in social and political causes, aligning with liberal movements and the Americans for Democratic Action.
Dr. Doris Kraemer passed away on August 14, 1984, yet her legacy endures in the fields of psychology and education. Her contributions are celebrated as a testament to her strength, intellect, and the barriers she broke for future generations.
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