Sheila “Shani” A. Dowd BA, LICSW, PhD (honorary), passed away on August 6, 2024, at her home in Milton, MA.

Born on October 29, 1945, in New York City to a military family, Shani and her family traveled considerably, including living in Amburg, Germany. She later graduated from the University of Maine at Orono, and then entered the MA program in Psychology.

Dr. Shani, as she was respectfully called, spent over 50 years teaching, and mentoring at the Center for Multicultural Training and Psychology (CMTP) at Boston University, and worked for 36 years at Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare as a mental health clinician. She was a health care equity champion who fought tirelessly for those who felt overlooked and dismissed, giving voice to those who felt they had none. She focused especially on the unique needs of communities of color and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Shani was a member of the Board of Trustees of William James College and recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology and recipient of the 2017 Massachusetts Public Health Association’s Shattuck Award for contributions to the field of public health. Her response to receiving this award speaks to her character and leadership: “It’s a wonderful honor to get a prestigious award like this, but this work is never done by individuals, it is only done in collaboration.”

Deeply proud of her African heritage, Shani visited Ghana and traveled to South Africa, twice. Shani took several other trips out of the country, including an unforgettable trip to Pakistan. Equally proud of her Cherokee heritage, Shani attended Powwows with her family and immersed herself in her culture. Shani, an accomplished musician, played guitar with several bands in a variety of local venues, sometimes performing her original songs. She enjoyed painting, new experiences, and, being a very social individual, she loved the vibrancy of city life. She once confessed to “a lively curiosity and a constant willingness to apologize for mistakes she was about to make.’’ Dr. Shani emphasized the importance of her family in her success, describing “the Dowds” as incredible, smart, talented people.”

Dr. Shani is predeceased by Fredrick Douglas Dowd, Jr., her father, Frederick Douglas Dowd III, her brother, Lillian B. Taylor, her grandmother, and Aviana N. Dickerson, her niece. Dr. Shani leaves to mourn but celebrate a life well lived her family members: Anne M. Dowd, her mother: and siblings and their spouses, Kendall Dowd and Sue Dowd: Carol Dowd Dickerson: Michelle Dowd: and David Dowd: her nieces and nephews: Kyla Dowd-Lavespere and her five daughters; Jenna Dowd and Jesus Martinez; Amber Dickerson and Kendy Valbrun; and Axel Dowd; and her loving step-son Deighmion Monroe, and God -son Scott Forstein, along with the Chosen Family members, and many friends, students, and colleagues.

A memorial to celebrate Dr. Shani’s life will be hosted by the Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology at the Boston University’s Hiebert Lounge at Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E Concord Street, Boston 02118 on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, from 2-4pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to one of the three organizations: Rosie’s place (https://www.rosiesplace.org); International Institute of New England (https://iine.org) or the National LGBTQ Task Force (https://www.thetaskforce.org).