Latina Social Worker Honored for Work with Women in Prison

She is one of many to be recognized during National Social Work Month

Washington — On any given day in the life of social worker Marilyn Montenegro, she advises a parolee whose parental rights are to be terminated; meets with agency directors who are providing services to abuse victims serving time; and, counsels a female prisoner on what she could expect when she’s released after spending 20 years behind bars.

Montenegro provides social work services on behalf of women in prison and those on parole. Although the population she serves is not one typically targeted by social workers, her work is traditional with respect that she provides resources and counseling to those in need.

In Montenegro’s case, her clients are often those who have been convicted of drug offenses or other non-violent offenses, often related to obtaining drugs. Many of them are concerned with keeping families together, and may be responsible for the care of elders, children and extended families from the confines of their prison cells. Montenegro helps clients deal with the situations in which they find themselves, and helps them obtain support. She’s also an advocate for system-wide change.

Last year, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) recognized Montenegro out of 153,000 members as Social Worker of the Year.
This year, throughout the month of March, NASW is recognizing the work of professional social workers and informing the public about the work that is done in child welfare agencies, hospitals and clinics, social service agencies and senior centers. Many of these social work professionals give voice to the voiceless, comfort the distressed and protect basic human values.

“Social workers align themselves with people who are victims of societal inequities” Montenegro says, “We advocate for those who bear the brunt of society’s disapproval, we learn to skillfully access limited resources for our clients and we promote changes in public policy that will bring more equity to a flawed system.”

The social work profession allows Montenegro, and other practitioners to choose from a variety of social work skills and techniques, including psychotherapy, community organizing and administrative planning.

Please consider a story on Ms. Montenegro, or a local social worker in your coverage area, to highlight the field during National Social Work Month in March. Ms. Montenegro works in specifically with the prison system in California, and she is a resident of Los Angeles.

For more information about a social worker in your community, you can contact the NASW Communications at media@naswdc.org.

About the Field

Social workers work in a number of settings and with a variety of clients. Some work as psychotherapists in private practice, others respond to needs of victims of disasters such as fire, flood or plane crashes, and still others work with the terminally ill in hospice settings. Central to their work is their view of the person in his or her environment and adherence to the NASW code of ethics. More information can be found at www.socialworkers.org.

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.