By Paul R. Pace, News Staff
National Professional Social Work Month was celebrated in March and the theme “Social Work Matters” was heralded from coast to coast.
“Social workers believe that a nation’s strength depends on the ability of the majority of its citizens to lead productive and healthy lives,” said NASW President Jeane Anastas. “Every day, social workers help people navigate life’s toughest challenges to find hope and new options for maximum social functioning.”
Something new for this year’s campaign took place over the airwaves in March. Through contributions, NASW sponsored short messages promoting the value of social work during National Public Radio’s popular shows “Morning Edition,” “The Diane Rehm Show” and “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!”
The radio spots caught the ears of 20 million daily listeners, and NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark noted that people at her March speaking engagements raved about the publicity.
“I heard from social workers across the country about how much they appreciated this outreach,” she said.
On World Social Work Day, March 20, U.S. Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns, D-N.Y., left, presents a Congressional Record to NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark, recognizing her service to the social work profession.
Millions of social workers who enrich people’s lives on a daily basis were celebrated on World Social Work Day, March 20.
On that day, members of Congress introduced a Social Work Month resolution in their respective chambers. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Md., was joined by eight co-sponsors in introducing S. 400. In the House, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., was joined by 23 co-sponsors, including social workers and U.S. Reps. Edolphus “Ed” Towns, D-N.Y.; Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.; and Susan Davis, D-Calif., in introducing H.R. 589.
“Social workers, in all disciplines, use their collective power, every day, to strengthen our nation’s families and communities, to help individuals overcome adversity and to advance sound social policies,” Lee said.
Also on World Social Work Day, members of the Congressional Social Work Caucus held a reception on Capitol Hill to recognize and honor the nation’s social workers. The event was hosted by caucus chairman Towns. He emphasized the group’s efforts to educate fellow legislators and their staffs about the issues that challenge the social work profession and the importance of supporting the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act, H.R. 1106/S. 584.
From the May 2012 NASW News. NASW members click here for the full story.
