By Alison Laurio Eighty-eight years ago what was called “The Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935” hit Florida on August 29. With winds of up to 185 mph, its pressure was the most intense of any Atlantic hurricane to make landfall on record. The Lauderdale Daily News on Sept. 3, 1935, wrote the category 5 storm killed 408 people, and ... Read More »
By Alison Laurio Search online for “Planned Parenthood and abortion rights” and a page opens with large white letters standing out against a dark background. The message: “The U.S. Supreme Court has ended the federal constitutional right to abortion — handing our power to control our own bodies to politicians.” After Roe was overturned on June 24 last year, and ... Read More »
By Alison Laurio Heavy rainfall in late August exacerbated ongoing problems at the main water treatment facility in Jackson, Miss., prompting Gov. Tate Reeves to declare a state of emergency. The Pearl River flooded Jackson, leading to low water pressure and a malfunction of pumps. Although a boil-water notice was lifted in mid-September, many residents remain skeptical about water safety. ... Read More »
By Paul R. Pace “The world is going through a challenging time in regard to women’s health and rights, and as a social worker we have a crucial role to play to ensure women have access to proper care and health,” says Yasoda Sharma, PhD, MSW, director of Region IV for NASW’s national board of directors. “My inspiration to serve ... Read More »
By Alison Laurio Stephanie Urbina, MSW, was enrolled in her first swimming class when she was a young child. Her parents had immigrated to the U.S. from Nicaragua and both worked full time. “My mother wanted to bond with me, Urbina said, so she enrolled her 5-year-old daughter in competitive swimming. There, she said, “I really flourished.” Why Swimming? After ... Read More »
By Mel Wilson, LCSW, MBA The widely televised tape of Tyre Nichols being mercilessly beaten by members of the Memphis Police Department was shocking beyond words. Similar to the murder of George Floyd, the country (indeed the world) was again a witness to total disregard for the life of young black man by law enforcement. The brutal death of Mr. ... Read More »
The South Carolina State House with the state flag flowerbed in the foreground. The National Association of Social Workers South Carolina Chapter (NASW-SC) is strongly against the proposed House Bill 3515, also known as the “Entrepreneur Freedom Act.” The purpose of this bill is to repeal and do away with licensure for social workers and many other professions in South ... Read More »
By Alison Laurio Will Francis, LMSW, said he “saw the writing on the wall” after new laws were implemented in Texas and took action to inform NASW Texas Chapter members about how to stay safe while doing their jobs. “Freedom of Social Work: How the First Amendment Supports Safe Spaces” — his presentation at the state conference — is an ... Read More »
The U.S. leads the world in the total number of incarcerations, imprisoning Americans at a rate of 629 people per every 100,000. And even though the current rate is the lowest in 20 years, the U.S. in 2022 had more than two million people in prison, according to World Population Review. And that number “is equivalent to roughly 25% of ... Read More »
By Sue Coyle, MSW As the world nears the end of the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States is both transitioning back toward pre-pandemic life and settling into a new normal. It’s a delicate balance that continues to evolve, as does the virus. Cases of the coronavirus have not disappeared. In mid-September, two and a half years ... Read More »
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