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 Science & Arts Workshop in Learning Disabilities and conducted the highly successful
Science & Arts 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.