By: Samantha Riley, Bicentennial Intern, Class of 2020, French and Anthropology, IUPUI
Edited by: Bre Anne Briskey, Bicentennial Graduate Assistant
“Life is a little like slow dancing. It’s shared…but it’s also done for you.”[1]
Dr. Diane Brashear left her mark on the Indianapolis, IN area through her passion for her work and connection to the women of the region. While she taught obstetrics, gynecology, and human sexuality at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, she also connected to the community through various outreach efforts. Brashear considered, besides her private counseling practice, her teaching at IU her number one professional responsibility.[2]
Early Life and Education
Diane L. Brashear was born on July 21, 1933 in Parkersburg, WV.[3] Her family moved to Columbus, OH when she was young. As a first generation college student, she worked part-time to attend The Ohio State University. After several years, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work.[4]
Brashear went on to earn her doctorate in family development from Purdue University in 1971.[5] While she was earning her doctorate, Brashear became affiliated with IUPUI. During the 1967-1968 academic year,
Brashear served as a field instructor for the Indiana School for the Blind.[6] In 1970 she served as a lecturer in the department.[7]After graduation, Brashear was promoted to assistant professor in the social services department at IU.[8]
Career
Early in her career, Brashear worked to advance women and their understanding of self. Just a year after receiving her doctorate, Brashear spoke at the 1972 Homemakers Conference on adjustment that occurs throughout a woman’s life and its implications for women.[9]
She became the chairwoman of the social education committee in Indianapolis Mayor Richard Lugar’s Task Force on Women. In this role, she advocated for providing women with more services by providing information on sex education and contraception. Her committee reported that, “Relatively few women have access to programs in preparing them for parent roles and childbirth experiences. It is significantly obvious that very few women would have access to any programs or information regarding counseling or women’s rights. The availability of existing agency services to women is somewhat limited due to the traditional agency hours. The focus on individual counseling and limited hours restrict services to women.”[10]
Dr. Brashear had a long-standing local television career which began in 1970. For about a decade, she had her own segment on Channel 13. In the segment, she would talk about contemporary issues, often dealing with topics of sexuality. She would then open up to calls from viewers and answer their questions. If callers were still on the line by the end of the segment, Dr. Brashear would continue to take the calls in the Channel 13 control room.
In the late 1980s, the Institute of Women’s Health opened at the IU Medical School with Brashear as executive director. She described the institute as the only one of its kind in the country.[11] At the time of the institute’s opening, women had higher rates of illnesses and more frequent visits to doctors, yet most medical research was conducted on men. The institute’s goal was to explore and prioritize research needs in women’s health.[12]
Contributions to Indianapolis
Diane Brashear worked extensively with organizations in the Indianapolis area to promote equality and support women. She was instrumental in developing “Men and Women Working Together,” a project for the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce which promoted gender equality. She served on the boards for Big Sisters, the Mental Health Association of Marion County, Planned Parenthood, and United Way of Central Indiana.[13] Dr. Brashear was a founding member, and the first chairwoman, of the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana Advisory Board.
The fund was created to support programs which provide opportunities, knowledge, and hope to women and girls.4 Brashear wanted the fund to be relevant to all women in central Indiana; she hoped that all girls would recognize their own power and use it to make a difference.
Legacy
Dr. Diane Brashear passed away in October 2002 at age 69 after a battle with breast cancer.
Her contributions to the organizations she worked with, to the women of central Indiana, and to her students remain an enduring legacy.
Bibliography
- Aamidor, Abe. “Intimacy INC.” Indianapolis Star, 20, 1994.
- “Brashear recalled as women’s advocate.” Indianapolis Star, 16, 2002.
- “Diane L. Brashear Certificate of Death,” Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 2002; Roll: 18.
- “‘Good girls’ finding new roles,” The Journal and Courier, 15 June 1982, pg. 29.
- “Institute of Women’s Health Opens At IU Medical School.” New Albany Tribune, Nov. 25, 1987.
- “Intimacy,” Indianapolis Star, 20 March 1994, pg. J1-J2.
- “IUPUI Graduate School of Social Service,” Indiana Bulletin 1967-1968 65 no. 27 (1967).
- “IUPUI Graduate School of Social Service,” Indiana Bulletin 1970-1971 68 no. 15 (1970), pg. 16.
- “IUPUI Graduate School of Social Service,” Indiana Bulletin 1971-1972 69, no. 13 (1971).
- “Homemakers to Hear About Women’s Role,” Journal and Courier, 08 June 1972, pg. 39.
- “Mayor’s Task Force on Women Reports Substantiate Hiring Discrimination,” Indianapolis Star, 10 June 1973, Section 5, pg. 1 and 7.
- “Memorial for Diane L. Brashear,” Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers, accessed 01 May 2020.
- “New I.U. health institute will study women.” The Indianapolis News, 5, 1987, Diane Brashear clippings file, IUPUI University Library Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Notes
[1] “‘Good girls’ finding new roles,” The Journal and Courier, 15 June 1982, pg. 29.
[2] Aamidor, Abe. “Intimacy INC.” The Indianapolis Star, Mar. 20, 1994.
[3] “Diane L. Brashear Certificate of Death,” Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 2002; Roll: 18.
[4] “Memorial for Diane L. Brashear,” Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers, accessed 01 May 2020. URL: http://hosting-4995.tributes.com/obituary/show/Diane-L.-Blake-Brashear-30939709; “Intimacy,” The Indianapolis Star, 20 March 1994, pg. J1-J2.
[5] “Intimacy,” The Indianapolis Star, 20 March 1994, pg. J1-J2.
[6] “IUPUI Graduate School of Social Service,” Indiana Bulletin 1967-1968 65 no. 27 (1967), pg. 19.
[7] “IUPUI Graduate School of Social Service,” Indiana Bulletin 1970-1971 68 no. 15 (1970), pg. 16.
[8] “IUPUI Graduate School of Social Service,” Indiana Bulletin 1971-1972 69, no. 13 (1971), pg. 18.
[9] “Homemakers to Hear About Women’s Role,” Journal and Courier, 08 June 1972, pg. 39.
[10] “Mayor’s Task Force on Women Reports Substantiate Hiring Discrimination,” The Indianapolis Star, 10 June 1973, Section 5, pg. 1 and 7.
[11] “Institute of Women’s Health Opens At IU Medical School.” New Albany Tribune, Nov. 25, 1987.
[12] “New I.U. health institute will study women.” The Indianapolis News, Nov. 5, 1987, Diane Brashear clippings file, IUPUI University Library Special Collections and Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana.
[13] “Brashear recalled as women’s advocate.” The Indianapolis Star, Oct. 16, 2002.