NASW Foundation National Programs

NASW Social Work Pioneers^®

Lauretta Markus Grill (1910- )

Grill received her bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin and a master's degree in sociology from Smith College School of Social Work in 1932. She completed post masters courses at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Administration, Smith School of Social Work, the Washington School of Psychiatry, and the New York School of Social Work.

Grill directed her efforts toward working with various programs for the developmentally disabled. She began this work through a study started while she was in the B.A. program at the University of Wisconsin. After graduation, she continued to work with the disabled, concentrating her efforts in evaluating long term foster home placement. She worked for the Family Service Agency where she recommended changes in policy for the agency in the areas of family services and psychiatric settings.

She was active in giving speeches and in writing. Her most rewarding experience was collaborating with a professor of education at the University of Wisconsin in the development and teaching of a workshop on emotional health which was offered to teachers and other school personnel. Ms. Grill has had several articles published in Social Casework, the Encyclopedia of Social Work and as well as in other publications.

Grill was also a pioneer in private practice. She started a part-time practice in the early 1950's. She was also considered an excellent teacher by using literature and poems.