Doris Allen

Doris Twitchell Allen, (8 October 1901 - 7 March 2002), was Professor Emerita of Psychology at the University of Cincinnati (USA) and a retired clinical psychologist specializing in development and psychodrama. After receiving degrees in Chemistry and Biology at the University of Maine, she was granted a PhD in Psychology at the University of Michigan, and completed her post-graduate study at the Psychological Institute, University of Berlin, in 1932. She was a Fellow and Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology, and served as Committee Chair / Board of Governors of the Ohio Psychological Association (1943 - 1948 & 1966 - 1969), American Society of Group Psychotherapy & Psychodrama (Executive Council and Vice President, 1964 - 1971) and International Council of Psychologists (Treasurer, 1948 - 1950 and President, 1969 - 1971).

Doris Allen's career as a psychologist began as Director of the Field Laboratory at the Child Education Foundation in New York City (1932 - 1935). Moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, she founded and was the initial Director of Psychological Services at Children's Hospital and the Children's Convalescent Home (1936 - 1938). She was Chief Psychologist at the Longview State Hospital, Cincinnati, from 1944 - 1957, and from 1949 - 1962, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Cincinnati. From 1962 until her retirement, she was Professor of Psychology at the University of Cincinnati and Professor of Psychology (Psychodrama) at the University of Maine. She developed the Twitchell-Allen Three- dimensional Personality Test for use in CISV research and clinical practice to portray personality dynamics, irrespective of age or culture.

In addition to founding CISV, Doris Allen served as International President (1951 - 1956), Trustee (1956 - 1965), Research Chairman (1951 - 1967), and Honorary Counsellor (1965 -), and simultaneously served as President (1956 - 1965), Research Chair / Co-Chair (1956 - 1969) and Life Trustee (1970 -) of CISV USA. She also founded the International School to School Experience (ISSE) in 1971, to broaden the base of CISV by reaching more children via elementary school exchanges, and served as Chair of the International ISSE Executive Committee (1972 - 1982). From its inception in 1988, Doris Allen had also served as Trustee / Honorary Trustee of the CISV International Peace Fund Trust.

Doris Allen had received four honorary doctorates for her international peace work in CISV and as a child psychologist. Her success in international exchange was recognized in 1956 when she was appointed a Member of the White House Conference of 100, which organized an international people-to-people programme. In 1953, she received the Gold Medal from the City of Stockholm "for outstanding work in international relations;" the Les Palmes Academiques from the French Government in 1961 "for a distinguished contribution to scientific and social thought through Children's International Summer Villages (CISV);" and recognition by the International Council of Psychologists (1962) "for an outstanding contribution to international relations through CISV." In 1999 Doris Allen was one of five USA citizens recognized by the Coca-Cola Company in its People At Their Best Awards for selfless community contribution "fostering understanding and friendship among children of different countries." She was nominated by a former CISV Village delegate, who said: "Dr Allen is an extraordinary woman who deserves your award for making peace in children's hearts."

Doris Allen was also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize (1979, The Year Of the Child), the Freedom Medal (1999), an honour awarded by the President of the United States of America and the Hague Appeal for Peace Prize (2001).