The field of infant and early childhood mental health, both nationally and internationally, was revolutionized by the pioneering work of Selma Fraiberg. A graduate of Wayne State University with a master's degree in social work, she joined the University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry in the early 1960s. During her time at UM she received federal funding to establish the Child Development Project, drawing on her research with visually impaired infants to support babies and mothers. Fraiberg's groundbreaking research, "kitchen table psychotherapy" approach, and dedication to infant mental health continues to shape contemporary therapeutic practices. In the late 1970s, she relocated to San Francisco, where she organized and directed an infant-parent program at San Francisco General Hospital.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 8, 1918, coinciding with International Women’s Day (!), Fraiberg is a celebrated author and trailblazer in the field, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of infant and early childhood mental health. Her enduring legacy serves as an inspiration not only for us here at Zero to Thrive in the Department of Psychiatry at UM, but for so many future generations of professionals dedicated to the well-being of children and families.