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August 13, 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: NASW Public Affairs Office Gail Woods-Waller |
NASW Announces Social Work Award Recipients
Awards Ceremony Part of 2002 Delegate Assembly in Washington, Aug. 14-18
WASHINGTON—The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the NASW Foundation will honor social workers and citizens who have made exemplary contributions to their communities and the social work profession on Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency-Crystal City. The awards ceremony is part of the association’s 2002 Delegate Assembly meeting held this week.The 2002 award recipients are as follows:
- Social Worker of the Year Award is given to Marilyn Montenegro, PhD, MSW of California, for her outstanding work and accomplishments in social policy and client advocacy. She has been a consistent advocate for peace, social justice, and women’s equality—with a special emphasis on helping women in prison. Her extensive social work career also includes work with immigrants, women receiving welfare, homeless persons, and other families in need.
- Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Mark G. Battle, ACSW, LCSW of Maryland, for his contributions to the profession for over 50 years. Battle’s achievements span the field of social work, including community organizing, academia, and administration. Throughout his distinguished career he has served as Administrator for the Bureau of Work Training Programs in the U.S. Department of Labor; Executive Director of NASW; social work professor at Howard University, the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois, and the University of Maryland; and as a private consultant.
- Public Elected Official of the Year Award will recognize U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, MSW of Texas, for his outstanding service and contributions in shaping public policies—particularly those that affect social justice, health care, education, civil and human rights, and social work practice. Rodriguez has consistently identified with, advocated, and supported the social work profession throughout his career as an educator, and as an elected official in local, state, and national office.
- Public Citizen of the Year Award will honor Mark Massey of Oklahoma for his courage in challenging an injustice he saw in his community. Massey was instrumental in seeking the release of 50 workers from a large industrial equipment manufacturer in Tulsa. The men, who are from India, said they were treated unfairly, paid less than minimum wage at under $3.00 an hour, held captive within the factory, and had their visas confiscated. Massey has helped the men seek legal assistance, raised public visibility about their situation, and provided practical support such as transportation and housing.
- International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award will go to Katherine Kendall, PhD, ACSW of Maryland, for her work advancing the public image of social work. She is recognized worldwide for her contributions to the development of social work education. Kendall was instrumental in forming the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW). Her remarkable social work career spans seven decades, and includes two books about the profession—both written in her 90s.
The NASW National Awards Ceremony will be held Thursday, August 15, 2002 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency, Crystal City, Potomac Room in Arlington, VA.
For more information about the reception and ceremony, or background on the awardees, please contact Lahne Mattas-Curry at lcurry@naswdc.org. Photos are available.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 153,000 members. It promotes, develops and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities through its work and through its advocacy.