NASW Social Work Pioneers - 18th Annual Program & Luncheon - The Future Is Now: Charting a Course for Social Justice for All

Sep 21, 2026

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NASW Social Work Pioneers® 18th Annual Program & Luncheon outlines a 2024 agenda hosted at Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., centered on “The Future Is Now” and charting a course for social justice for all. It recognizes current and newly elected pioneers, highlights the purpose and impact of the Pioneer Program, and describes nominations and selection timelines. The program schedule features registration, welcome, an in memoriam tribute, a student panel on new problem-solving models, historic group photography, luncheon, a panel on election eve, introduction of 2024 pioneers, and closing remarks, including keynote context.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages52

Reading Time2 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

About the Pioneers

Planning Committee

NASW Foundation

Program - Saturday, October 19, 2024

Registration & Networking

Welcome & Introductions

In Memoriam and Student Panel

Historic Pioneer Group Photo and Luncheon

Panel: Election Eve Chat

Introduction of 2024 Pioneers

Closing Remarks

Keynote Speakers

NASW Social Work Pioneers® 18th Annual Program & Luncheon Omni Shoreham Hotel | Washington, D.C . The Future Is Now: Charting a Course for Social Justice for All NASW FOUNDATION » [NASWFoundation.org](NASWFoundation.org) Current & Founding Pioneer Committee Chairs BETSY VOURLEKIS Chair, NASW Social Work Pioneer® JESSE J. HARRIS Co-Chair, Emeritus, NASW Social Work Pioneer® MARK G. BATTLE Co-Founder and Past Co-Chair, NASW Social Work Pioneer® 7/28/1924 – 10/26/2011 RUTH IRELAN KNEE Co-Founder and Past Co-Chair, NASW Social Work Pioneer® 3/21/1920 – 10/8/2008 Newly Elected Pioneers Congratulations to the 2024 Pioneers Franklin Brooks William Neal Brown*(1919-2009) Karen Bullock William H. Butterfield Norman H. Cobb Rachel Crandall-Crocker King Davis Enrico De Gironimo Diana DiNitto E. Daniel Edwards Dorothy Faller Santos Hernandez Charles E. Lewis Jr. Samuel Bernard Little Louise Thomson Locker Louis Lowy* (1920-1991) Goutham M. Menon M. Patricia O’Brien Kathleen Pottick Susan P. Robbins Michael Sherraden Julie E. Shroyer Kimberly J. Strom Dexter R. Voisin James Wayne © 2024 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. NASW Social Work Pioneers® 18th Annual Program & Luncheon Saturday, October 19, 2024 Washington, D.C. ABOUT THE PIONEERS The NASW Social Work Pioneer® Program was created to honor members of the social work profession who have contributed to the evolution and enrichment of the profession. The Pioneer Program identifies and recognizes individuals whose unique dedication, commitment and determination have improved social and human conditions. Pioneers are role models for future generations of social workers. Their contributions are reflected in every aspect of the profession, as well as in the establishment of social policies and human services programs. They have accomplished this through practice, teaching, writing, research, program development, administration, advocacy, legislation and election to public office. Being elected by one’s peers as an NASW Social Work Pioneer® is one of the profession’s highest honors. Nominations are accepted year-round, with a deadline of March 31 each year for consideration in that year’s awards. PLANNING COMMITTEE Kathy Wehrmann, PhD, MSW, Chair Dorothy V. Harris, ACSW, Co-Chair Elaine Congress, DSW, ACSW Isadora Hare, DCSW, ACSW Steve Hornberger, MSW Charles Howard, PhD, MSW Hal Lipton, LICSW, LCSW-C Patricia Martin-O’Meally, ACSW NASW FOUNDATION Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C CEO, NASW President, NASW Foundation Yvonne Chase, PhD, LCSW, ACSW President, NASW Member, NASW Foundation Board of Directors Vice President, IFSW North American Region Betsy Vourlekis, PhD, ACSW Chair, Pioneer Steering Committee NASW FOUNDATION STAFF Brian Williams, LAPSW, Director Kerri Criswell, MSW, Senior Manager, Fund Development Ian Walker, BFA, Senior Administrative Assistant PROGRAM – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2024 | 9:00AM-3:00PM 9:00 AM REGISTRATION & NETWORKING 10:00 AM WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS Betsy Vourlekis, PhD, ACSW* Chair, NASW Pioneer® Steering Committee GREETINGS Yvonne Chase, PhD, LCSW, ACSW* President, NASW Member, NASW Foundation Board of Directors Vice President, IFSW North American Region 10:20 AM IN MEMORIAM including a special tribute to Dr. Bernice Catherine Harper* Patricia Martin O’Meally, LICSW* Member, NASW Pioneer® Planning Committee 10:30 AM STUDENT PANEL: EXPLORING NEW MODELS FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING Steven Hornberger, MSW* – Moderator Director, Social Policy Institute, San Diego State University School of Social Work Bernice Lorna Gaspard, MSW Fordham University Carmen Ross MSW Candidate, Howard University Roxy Sprowl MSW Candidate, University of Michigan Ashley Wright Dual Degree MSW/MPH Candidate, San Diego State University 11:30 AM HISTORIC PIONEER GROUP PHOTO Photography by Patricia McDougall 11:55 AM LUNCHE

FAQs

What is the purpose of the NASW Social Work Pioneer® Program?

The program honors social work professionals who have contributed to the evolution and enrichment of the profession and improved social and human conditions. It recognizes individuals whose dedication and commitment serve as role models for future social workers.

How are nominations handled for the Pioneer Program?

Nominations are accepted year-round, with a deadline of March 31 each year for consideration in that year’s awards.

What events are included in the Saturday, October 19, 2024 schedule?

The schedule includes registration and networking, welcome and introductions, an in memoriam tribute, a student panel on problem-solving models, historic group photo, luncheon, an election eve panel, introduction of the 2024 pioneers, and closing remarks.

Sep 21, 2026

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