NASW Foundation National Programs

NASW Social Work Pioneers^®

Chauncey A. Alexander (1916- 2005)

Chauncey Alexander's lifelong commitment to social work is evidenced by his varied roles as case worker, administrator, educator, and consultant. His pioneering efforts are most known for advancing the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) as the largest association of professional social workers. He served as Executive Director of NASW from 1969-1982. His business acumen coupled with his social work expertise has led to his success in his consulting service offered to voluntary governmental and international organizations.

Alexander received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of California at Los Angeles, a master of social work degree at the University of Southern California and a doctoral degree also from the University of Southern California. During his career in social work, he was a case worker for the Family Association of Los Angeles in the California Department of Mental Hygiene and the State Relief Administration. Alexander served as a psychiatric social worker in the US Army from 1944 to 1946, and then for the Veteran Service Center from 1946 to 1948. He served as the executive director of the Southern California Society for Mental Hygiene in Los Angeles between 1950 and 1954. Alexander also served as the associate director of the Regional Medical Program School of Medicine, University of California, and as executive director of the Los Angeles County Heart Association.

Alexander's pioneering efforts were largely related to his leadership in NASW. While at NASW, he created numerous programs such as ELAN (Education League Action Network) and PACE (Political Action for Candidate Election), and developed specialty professional publications, competence certification, and an insurance program. As NASW ambassador, he represented social work to the international community as well as to federal, state, and local governments.

Alexander was a professor at the California State University, School of Social Work. He was president of Chauncey A. Alexander Associates, a consulting service which handled management, finance, system personnel administration, public relations, community organizations, and development in voluntary governmental and international organizations. He wrote, taught, and lectured on management, community organizations, social policy, health services, and social welfare. He was a licensed social worker in California, a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, NASW, Certified Associate Executives, and the American Society of Social Workers Executives.

Alexander received many distinguished service awards from NASW as well as the California Medical Association -- Social Worker of the Year, Koshland Practitioner Award, and the Shining Star Award. Chauncey, a prolific writer, completed over 80 publications.