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Temple Grandin — Colorado State University professor, author, and world-renowned animal behavior expert — has been named one of USA TODAY’s 2025 Women of the Year.
The award recognizes her groundbreaking work in animal welfare and autism advocacy. This honor places her among 61 women who are breaking barriers and inspiring change.
This isn’t the first time Grandin has been honored, having been listed on the Time 100 list of people who most affect our world in 2010.
Grandin, 77, is renowned for her contributions to livestock handling. She designs industry-standard equipment that improves animal welfare. Her innovations include curved chutes for cattle, dip vats that prevent drowning, and auditing systems for slaughterhouses that have been widely adopted by major food companies.
She has also written extensively on animal welfare and autism, advocating for neurodiverse individuals in the workforce. Throughout her career, she has published 16 books on autism and over half a dozen textbooks on animal welfare and the livestock industry.
Diagnosed with autism as a child, Grandin struggled with algebra but excelled as a visual thinker. She credits her success to mentors like her high school science teacher, William Carlock, and industry professionals who supported her early career.
Her ability to think in pictures has allowed her to understand animal behavior in ways others could not, leading to innovations that have transformed the livestock industry.
Grandin’s life and work were celebrated in the 2010 HBO biopic Temple Grandin, which won multiple Emmy Awards. A more recent documentary, An Open Door: Temple Grandin, released in 2024, has also received acclaim at film festivals.
Her focus now is mentoring students and advocating for young people with autism, encouraging them to develop their skills and pursue meaningful careers. “We need the skills of some of these autistic kids,” she told The Coloradoan, emphasizing the importance of exposure and mentorship in helping neurodiverse individuals succeed.
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