Betty S. Bardige, Ed.D., dedicated her career to assuring all children a promising start and a lifetime of equitable learning opportunities. As a developmental psychologist, educator, and parent, she understood that early experiences have unique power. Dr. Bardige's professional work focused on those critical early years when children build foundations for relationships, resilience, and lifelong learning. A passionate and prolific writer and speaker, she collaborated with local and statewide initiatives to help parents, early educators, and engaged communities support young children’s language, literacy, and social-emotional development.
As an activist, consultant, and foundation leader, Dr. Bardige worked for more than 30 years to strengthen systems, programs, and policies that affect young children and their families. She chaired the Brazelton Touchpoints Foundation board and was a member of the A.L. Mailman Family Foundation board. She worked with educational and family-serving organizations on program development, evaluation, curriculum, and strategic planning, and served on boards of local, state, and national organizations, including Smart from the Start, The National Association for Family Child Care, and Facing History and Ourselves.
