[2] Turner then received her Ph.D. in 1935 for her dissertation entitled: "The Effect of Practice on the Perception and Memorization of Digits Presented in Single Exposures.
"[3] Turner is credited as being the third black women to each a doctorate in psychology in the United States, after Inez Prosser, and Ruth Howard.
Shortly after graduating, Turner and other students tried to go into a "whites-only" movie theatre, from which they were denied access and took legal action against the manager.
She has been instrumental in establishing the Prelude Scholarship and Recognition Program, a partnership of Links, Ohio State, and the Columbus Public Schools to honor minority students.
[7] In 1999 The Ohio State University recognized Turner with Distinguished Service Award duly noting: "Through her professional and academic activities, Turner has served as a role model and counselor for young people, especially troubled teenagers, and she has been a pioneer for African Americans in the diagnosis and treatment of delinquent behavior.