NASW Foundation National Programs

NASW Social Work Pioneers^®

Alice Taylor Davis

Alice Taylor Davis's pioneering record is reflected in the Hollis-Taylor Social Work Education Report of 1951. Alice Taylor joined with Dr. Hollis and wrote the important work This report made an important contribution to the understanding of and improvement needed in social work education. Another contribution is Alice's autobiography: Making of a Teacher - 50 Years in Social Work

Davis describes in considerable detail, what happens in social work. She started her social work career in Nebraska, and her first academic teaching began in 1937, when she helped organize the program for the new School of Social Work at the University of Nebraska. She continued most of social work life in education and training. She became a member of the Division of Technical Training in the Bureau of Public Assistance in HEW, and was responsible for the development of many of the principles and work that came from this division. She worked, at that time, with Agnes Van Driel who was the head of that division. The reports of the Division of Technical Training are available in the biographical section of NASW Library section.