Social Work Leaders Through History

This book vividly portrays the personal and professional lives of social work luminaries from the 19th to the present century. It links their groundbreaking contributions in social work to current Council on Social Work Education core competencies. The book focuses on leaders who shaped the field across modern American history — the Progressive Era, the Great Society, the New Deal, the Postwar period, and others—and examines their lives in the context of the social and historical environment, their contributions to social work, and lessons from their experiences that are still relevant to social work today. Through detailed, engaging life stories and photographs, readers—including undergraduates, graduate students, and practicing social workers—will learn about the profession’s rich history rooted in charitable work, “friendly visitors”, and social justice advocacy. The book also touches upon the contributions of early social work pioneers as well as those leading us forward in the 21st century. The social work leaders explored are Dorothea Dix, Ellen Gates Starr, Mary Richmond, Frances Perkins, Whitney Moore Young Jr, Katherine Anne Tuach Kendall, Dr. Nazneen Sada Mayadas, and Barbara Mikulski. It provides important historical groundwork for classes in social welfare policy, introduction to social work, and social work history courses. Chapters include discussion questions and activities to facilitate professional growth and personal development.