Much of what educators and experts know about caring for children with disabilities
can be traced to Edna Mae Wilcox, a 1949 graduate from Oklahoma College for Women.
She authored speech improvement handbooks for primary classroom teachers, produced
45 speech improvement lessons broadcast by radio and wrote a teacher's handbook for
elementary special education classes. She also co-authored "Listening With Mr. Bunny
Big Ears," speech improvement through dramatic play. A World War II veteran, serving
in the Navy Waves, she received a Masters degree from the University of Pittsburg
and also studied at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. She joined the university
faculty in 1972 as chairman of the Speech and Hearing Department. She helped to organize
the USAO Workshop in Learning Disabilities and conducted the highly successful USAO
Summer Camp for children with learning disabilities. She also taught at the University
of Pittsburgh and Muskigum College, New Conrod, Ohio. Prior to accepting the position
as language arts consultant with MacMillan Publishing Co., she was employed for eight
and a half years as supervisor of Speech and Learning for Cambria County Schools in
Edensburg, Pennsylvania, 1958-1966. She was also speech pathologist for the Mental
Health Outpatient Clinic in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 1953-1958. Her memberships include
Business and Professional Women, serving as Chickasha Chapter president and also Sixth
District BPW president.