Temple Grandin, Colorado State University and animal sciences professor and world-renowned spokesperson for autism, has been named to the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She is one of only 10 women to receive the honor this year.
Source: Colorado State University, February 10, 2017.
A professor of animal sciences for more than 20 years, Grandin has made enormous contributions to the livestock industry. Her autism allows her to think in pictures, and that ability has made her a visionary if her field. Her insights into animal behavior shaped innovative approaches to livestock handling, including methods and designs for humane slaughter that have become the industry standard.
Previous inductees include . . . Madeleine Albright, Louisa May Alcott, Maya Angelou, Susan B. Anthony, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sylvia Earle, Ella Fitzgerald, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Georgia O’Keefe, Rosa Parks, Sally Ride, Eleanor Roosevelt and Oprah Winfrey.
INSIGHTS: Having worked with Dr. Grandin twice about proper feedlot cattle handling, her lesson that has stuck with me is less about that, and more about the danger of using labels to categorize people. Her TED Talk, “The world needs all kinds of minds,” is worth 20 minutes of your time.