Page 19 - FINAL San Diego Woman interactive

Women of Distinction

received a second masters in the Advanced Study of Black there is a halftime, because I join a professional association.
counseling psychology with an Family Life and Culture. In was a majorette in high school Membership fees are lower for
emphasis in marriage, family the African tradition, Judy and that’s when we performed, student members and students
and child counseling, as well learned one is responsible for during half-time!” can acquire cutting-edge in-
as a doctoral degree in clinical mentoring those who follow, in To Judy’s surprise, the formation from experts in the
psychology. It was there, Judy concert with the centuries-old interviewer viewed this as a field and allow for networking
met some of the most prom- African adage, “I am because plus thinking she would not opportunities. Presenting at
inent psychologists in the we are!” be star-struck when evaluating professional conferences is a
field. This included Dr. Harold With this type of men- players if she did not know plus. Poster sessions are a great
Greenwald, president of the torship, it is no wonder Judy who they were, and would start! Finally, an internship is a
university, who became Judy’s went on to have an extremely therefore be more objective. smart way to establish contacts
mentor. successful career. She worked In her 25 years with the NFL/ and this may lead to offers of
Dr Greenwald was a for the Navy Alcohol and Drug NFLPA Program for Alcohol professional positions later.
student of Theodor Reik, a Safety Action (NADSAP) and other Substances of Abuse, Judy believes in additional
disciple of Sigmund Freud. An program for a number of years, Judy has learned a lot in work- to a successful professional
avowed humanist, even facilitating one group ing with players. “The players life, it is important to cultivate
Dr. Greenwald did not hold aboard ship. This experience have helped me understand a fulfilling personal life. She is
with all tenets of psychoana- as well as her job as a sub- how difficult a job it is being a very proud of being a mother,
lytic theory, so he developed stance abuse educator for the professional athlete. Their lives as well as a grandmother of
his own approach to therapy, County of San Diego helped to are always up in the air. In a three. She and her life partner,
which he called Direct Deci- establish her specialization in split second, life can change Al, have shared two decades
sion Therapy. He believed that substance abuse. for them if they are cut, traded, worth of respect and support
decisions were at the root of At the same time, Judy had sidelined or injured. Players for each other. Judy lives by the
understanding dysfunctional taken on a number of com- have informed me what NFL ocean and enjoys the fresh salt-
behavior and that people had munity leadership positions. truly stands for ‘Not for Long’.” iness of the breezes that blow
free will to change their deci- She co-founded the Passage Judy is one of seven case over the waves and through
sions and therefore their expe- Foundation for Children, the managers in the U.S. work- her windows. In addition to
riences. He even believed that first rites of passage program ing in this program to assist writing, Judy practices a way
happiness was achievable by for African American girls participants embrace sobriety of going within to a place of
virtue of a personal decision. in San Diego. She conducted and maximize their health and peace, which she learned from
The personal decision Judy trainings for women to run well-being. internationally renowned Am-
made to study at the Profes- similar programs. She re- Helping others to max- bassador of Peace, Prem Rawat.
sional School was definitely ceived the Outstanding Young imize their potential is what Judy says the experience has
a step toward her happiness. Woman of America Award, Judy does best, especially in reminded her “the peace that
Some of her other professors the Bob Marley Peace Award, the field of education. While passes all understanding starts
there were Dr. Nathaniel Bran- and a Special Service Award teaching graduate students at from within” and “every breath
den, Dr. Irving Yalom, Zerka from the County of San Diego San Diego State University, is precious when we are living
Moreno and Dr. Albert Ellis, for her work in drug educa- Judy accepted an assistant pro- in the experience of love and
progenitor of cognitive-behav- tion. She became president fessorship at San Diego Mesa gratitude. These are what make
ioral therapy, which is widely of the San Diego Chapter College in 1989. She advanced life most fulfilling!”
used today. Judy added to of the Association of Black to associate professor, then Getting to know Judy has
these educational experiences Psychologists. While holding to full tenured professor in been a wonderful experience.
by networking opportunities this position, Judy received the Counseling Department, The one characteristic that
within the Association of Black an interesting request. “I got where she has worked for over stands out most is that she pos-
Psychologists. Through this a letter across my desk about 30 years now. Being a licensed sesses one of the kindest hearts
association, Judy was educat- a search for psychologists to clinical psychologist adds imaginable. Throughout her
ed in African Psychology by work with the National Foot- a wealth of knowledge and personal life as a mother and
some of the most distinguished ball League (NFL) in a new experience to her work with a friend, Judy has shaped her
Black Psychologists in the substance abuse program. My students who need academic, relationships with affirmations
U.S. These included Dr. Carl mentor convinced me I would career and personal counsel- of love, joy and self-acceptance.
Clark, Dr. Carrol Waymon, be a perfect fit, so I applied.” ing. Throughout her professional
Dr. Charles Thomas, Dr. Asa During the interview, Judy was I asked Judy what advice career as an author, a psycholo-
Hilliard, Dr. Na’im Akbar, upfront with the interview- she would give to a student gist, and an educator, Judy has
Dr. Linda James-Myers, Dr. er about her lack of football wanting to follow her example. inspired others to design expe-
Nsenga Warfield-Coppack and knowledge. “I said I have to be “I would advise students to be riences for themselves, as she
Dr. Wade Nobles, founder and honest with you; the only thing mentored by a professional in has for herself, full of success,
director of the Institute for I know about football is that their field. Students should also artistry and service to others.

19