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Washington — The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is pleased to honor Nancy Humphreys, DSW, with the NASW Lifetime Achievement Award for her impact on the profession and society.

A past president of NASW— and, at the time, only the second female president of the organization— Dr. Humphreys has a long and accomplished professional history. Her academic work has left an indelible mark, both here in the United States and abroad. She served as dean of two schools of social work, Michigan State University and University of Connecticut, where she also had teaching responsibilities in policy, community organization, social welfare, family and children, political social work and women’s issues. Since 1991, Dr. Humphreys has worked with what is now the Republic of Armenia to establish social work education in that country. The result of her efforts is a BSW and MSW program at Yerevan State University.

Dr. Humphreys founded the Institute for the Advancement of Political Social Work Practice (IAPSWP) at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work in 1995, and now serves as the organization’s director. This Institute is the most recent in a long series of efforts and leadership in the growing role of social workers in politics. Although it is unique in its goals and projects, the IAPSWP works closely with related organizations, especially the political action arm of NASW under government relations. Dr. Humphreys’ extensive experience in the field of social work facilitates that working relationship.

Because Dr. Humphreys believes that social workers should seek elected partisan political office and that political social work practice is a legitimate specialization in the profession, her students learn the framework and techniques for campaign management, as well as how to become candidates for public office. She continues to teach Policy and Planning, as well as courses in social environment and women's issues, at the university.

As a leader during the feminist movement, Dr. Humphreys was appointed by President Carter to serve on his National Advisory Committee on Women's Issues. She co-authored the Human Services chapter of the Committee's final report Voices for Women. Active in many women's organizations, Dr. Humphreys has presented content and written about a number of social service issues from a feminist perspective. She has also been a member of a variety of organizations, including the American Public Welfare Association Council, National Conference of Social Welfare; has served on numerous boards of directors; and was vice president of the Council on Social Work Education.

A member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Teaching in Social Work and the Journal of Women and Aging, Dr. Humphreys has extensive experience in publication. She has performed numerous editorial reviews, and has authored papers and articles on such subjects as women's issues, coalitions, family and children's services, and political social work practice.

Since moving to Connecticut, Dr. Humphreys has served as a board member of the Connecticut Association of Human Services, the Capital Area United Way, the statewide United Way Strategic Planning Committee, and was a member of the Simsbury Human Rights Committee. She assumed the role of "Next Friend" to a child plaintiff which resulted in the 1991 signing of the Juan F. vs. O’Neill Consent Decree - a legal blueprint for increasing funding, staffing and services standards. Personnel continue to implement Consent Decree provisions in virtually all areas of service and administration, in cooperation with a federal court monitor.

Dr. Humphreys currently chairs the Advisory Committee to the DCF Training Academy. For many years, she served as the spokesperson and co-chair of the Connecticut Coalition for Children and was elected as the founding chair of the Parenting Education Advisory Committee, which is responsible for implementing a state law requiring parents to participate in parenting education at the time of divorce.

It is with great pride that we confer this award on Dr. Humphreys — she has dedicated a lifetime to advancing the profession and social work practice.

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National Association of Social Workers, 750 First Street, NE • Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002-4241.
© 2013 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved.